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Funerary Urn from a Zapotecan Tomb
The cylindrical urn is concealed behind the human figure. The dressof the human figure consists of a cape, apron, and a widespreading headdress.Over the face is worn a mask. Height, 15½ inches.
AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Ancient Civilizations
of
Mexico and Central America
By HERBERT J. SPINDEN
FORMERLY ASSISTANT CURATOR, DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY
HANDBOOK SERIES No. 3
THIRD AND REVISED EDITION
NEW YORK
1928
Publication
of the
Anthropological Handbook Fund
PREFACE
This little book is intended as a general commentaryand explanation of the more importantphases of the ancient life and arts of theIndians of Mexico and Central America, and especiallyof their history. The substance of it is drawnfrom many sources, for the anthropologist mustmould together and harmonize the gross results ofseveral sciences. Archæology, ethnology, somatology,and linguistics all make their special contributionsand we are only on the threshold of our subject.In the Mexican and Central American field wefind the accumulated writings that result from fourhundred years of European contact with the Indiansand in addition a mass of native documents andmonumental inscriptions expressed in several hieroglyphicsystems.
The general method of this book will be to takeup in order the recognized “horizons” of pre-Columbianhistory, beginning with the earliest ofwhich we have knowledge. In relation to each horizonwe will examine the records and discuss theprincipal developments in arts, beliefs, and socialstructures. The introductory chapter is designedto put before the reader such facts as may be necessaryfor a ready understanding of the discussionsand explanations that will follow.
The Mexican Hall of the American Museum ofNatural History furnishes illustrations of most ofthe facts given herewith. This Hall contains bothoriginals and casts brought together by variousexpeditions of the Museum and of other scientificinstitutions. The principal patrons of science6whose names should be mentioned in connectionwith the upbuilding of these collections are: WillardBrown, Austin Corbin, R. P. Doremus, Anson W.Hard, Archer M. Huntington, Morris K. Jesup,James H. Jones, Minor C. Keith, the Duke ofLoubat, William Mack, Henry Marquand, DoctorWilliam Pepper, A. D. Straus, I. McI. Strong, CorneliusVanderbilt, Henry Villard, William C. Whitney.But thanks are also due to innumerable personswho have contributed single specimens andsmall collections as well as those who have placedinformation at the disposa