I'REmSTORJC MAN 55 



The Nahua culture of Mexico extended through many centuries, 

 rehcs of which are found deposited in distinct layers, one above the 

 other. In the valley of Mexico there are three so-called culture horizons, 

 the last being that of the Aztecs. These three stages of culture are 

 represented on the north side of the hall beginning at the western end. 

 We first have the Archaic Period as represented in the culture of Tarasca 

 and Jalisco. Here are many crude figurines of pottery. The eyes and 

 other features are formed by adding fillets of clay which are afterwards 

 rudely modeled. 



Next in order is the culture of the Toltecs, who were skilled in making 

 pottery, the decorations of which were frequently stamped on with 

 terra cotta stamps. Examples of this work together with the stamps 

 are shown in one of the cases. 



Near the middle of the hall the final period, that of the Aztecs, is 

 showii representing their work in clay and stone. 



Near the east end of the same side of the hall in the same order will 

 be found the Archaic Period of Central America, and the succeeding 

 Maya civilization as r(>presentetl at Chichen Itza and Copan. 



The Maya were perhaps the most highly civilized people in the New 

 World. They built many cities of stone and erected many fine pillar- 

 like stelae to which attention was called on entering the hall. The sculp- 

 tures on these monuments represent priest-like l)eings who carry serpents 

 and other ceremonial objects in their hands. There are also on them 

 long hieroglyphic inscriptions containing dates in the wonderful Maya 

 calendar. Maya history contains two brilliant periods. That of the 

 south, extending from 160 A. D. to 600 A. D., was chiefly remarkable 

 for its sculptures. The j^rincipal cities were Copan, Quirigua. Tikal, 

 Yaxchilan, and Palenque. The second period fell between 950 A. D. 

 and 1250 A. D., and centered in northern Yucatan. The chief cities 

 were Chichen Itza, Uxnial and Labna, and the finest works of art were 

 architectural. 



SOUTHWEST PAVILION 



Prehistoric Man of North America 



Continuing west we pass into the Southwest Pavilion, likewise given 

 over to archaeology, in this instance that bf North America. Here are 

 examples of ancient pottery, arrow-heads, stone axes and other imple- 

 ments of stone and bone, mostly from burial mounds. The most 

 important of these are the rude implements and fragments of human 

 bones from the Trenton gravels, as these are the most probable evidences 

 of man's antiquity on this continent. Notice that the arrangement 



