The ancient cities of the New world
Subtitle: being voyages and explorations in Mexico and Central America from 1857-1882
By: by Désiré Charnay; tr. from the French by J. Gonino and Helen S. Conant
Contributors: Gonino, J., tr; Conant, Helen S. 1839-1899, tr
Publisher: Harper & brothers
Published: 1887
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 514
Subjects: Mayas -- Antiquities; Mexico -- Antiquities; Mexico -- Description and travel; Yucatán (Mexico : State) -- Antiquities; Guatemala -- Antiquities
Description: Born in France, Charnay (1828-1915) travelled extensively through commissions from the French government and with private patronage. He made several visits to the region between 1857 and 1886, producing in his work both a journal of his adventures and an archaeological examination of past civilizations. Beginning in Mexico, Charnay notably examines the ancient city of Tula and also the history of Yucatán, discussing aspects of Toltec and Mayan culture. He explores the ruins of Chichen Itza, Kabah and Yaxchilan (which Charnay dubbed 'Lorillard Town' after a benefactor), among many other settlements. Surveying art, pyramid architecture, ancient customs and history based on extant sources, this account was a major contribution in its field and remains of interest to scholars of Latin American archaeology.