Preceramic Mesoamerica

"This marvelous volume presents new data and fascinating chapters probing the controversies, strengths, and weaknesses of preceramic Mesoamerican research. Not since the Tehuacan volumes have we seen such a substantial and diverse contribution to Paleoindian and Archaic studies. It is an essential book, and, finally, an inspiring one, revealing key research that remains to be done."

Barbara L. Stark, Arizona State University, USA

"This landmark volume conveys new interpretations of the dawn of civilization in Mesoamerica. It presents highly valuable, empirically rich research that will impact our understanding of the origins, patterning, and complexity of early human adaptations to changing environmental and social regimes in Mexico and neighboring countries. The book is an essential source for all scholars interested in early American history."

Tom D. Dillehay, Vanderbilt University, USA, and Universidad Austral de Chile, Chile

"A must read for those interested in the processual development of early Mesoamerican populations and seeking information for comparisons with the Old World. Early studies are critiqued in relation to newer discoveries, synthesizing relevant theoretical constructs and providing a foundation for planning future studies of the Paleoindian and Archaic periods."

James Neely, The University of Texas at Austin, USA

"This superb volume sheds new light on the early prehistory of Mexico and Central America from its initial peopling to the beginnings of settled village life. The editors and authors synthesize their latest discoveries, highlighting the ways in which this new research has led to novel hypotheses that challenge earlier models and will help to set the stage for the next generation of archaeological research."

Michael Blake, University of British Columbia, Canada

"Preceramic Mesoamerica is a book that we have been awaiting for decades. No recent volume focuses as this one does on the Paleoindian and Archaic periods of this region with such depth, quality, and diversity of topics and sites investigated. This book will be a constant reference for researchers and teachers, and for students interested in the preceramic prehistory of the Americas."

Rafael Suárez, Universidad de la República – Montevideo, Uruguay