Researches in the Central Portion of the Usumatsintla Valley/Editorial Note
EDITORIAL NOTE.
This report by Mr. Teobert Maler covers his explorations of several groups of ancient ruins in the valley of the Usumatsintla and his visit to the Lacantuns of Lake Pethá. It is the first of a series which will make known the results of the researches which Mr. Maler is conducting under the auspices of the Museum.
In his graphic and entertaining style, Mr. Maler gives us vivid pictures of the wild beauty and tropical luxuriousness of the country through which he journeys; and in the relation of his dealings with the Lacantuns he gives us glimpses of the life and customs of these little-known denizens of the jungle about Lake Pethá.
Mr. Maler has spent many years in Mexico and Central America, and has examined and photographed many of the prehistoric ruins and sculptures of that region. The beautiful photographs which he has so skilfully taken—notwithstanding the difficulties to be overcome—have made his name familiar to all students of American archaeology; and it will be gratifying to all Americanists to read this account of Mr. Maler's explorations and to examine the interesting series of photographs here published.
Mr. Maler's map of the Central Usumatsintla Valley and his plan of the ruins of Piedras Negras, here reproduced, will awaken a new interest in the great cities of the past, which are still hidden in the jungles of Central America.
This report was written in German by Mr. Maler, and has been translated into English by Miss Selma Wesselhoeft, assisted by Miss A. M. Parker. Every effort has been made to secure an accurate translation and to keep the decisive style of the author; while the Editor has respected the fact that the author could not revise the proofs. Mr. Maler is therefore responsible for the opinions expressed and the statements made, as well as for the spelling of proper names, in which he sometimes differs from the generally accepted orthography.
The reproduction of the photographs has been admirably accomplished by the heliotype process, special care having been taken by the Heliotype Company to accurately reproduce the original prints. This part of the work has been carefully supervised by Mr. C. C. Willoughby.
It is a pleasure to acknowledge, in behalf of the Museum, our indebtedness to Mr. Charles P. Bowditch of the Museum Faculty for his continued interest and co-operation in the work pertaining to Central America. Our thanks are also tendered to all the subscribers whose generous aid has made it possible to continue our researches in Central America and to publish the results.
Harvard University, Cambridge
October, 1901.
SUBSCRIBERS
TO THE FUND FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF CENTRAL AMERICAN RESEARCH.
STEPHEN SALISBURY, Worcester
CHARLES P. BOWDITCH, Boston
AUGUSTUS HEMENWAY, Boston
JUDGE FRANCIS C. LOWELL, Boston
MR. & MRS. HENRY PICKERING, Boston
MISS ELLEN F. MASON, Boston
EDWARD S. GREW, Boston
MRS. G. G. LOWELL, Boston
GEORGE A. NICKERSON, Boston
NATHANIEL THAYER, Boston
ELIOT C. LEE, Boston
MISS MARY L. WARE, Boston
MISS CAROLINE P. STOKES, New York