James W. Dow here focuses upon the problem of what shamanism is, and specifically what it is in Mexico, which also involves the difficulty of correctly interpreting the reports by different anthropologists of apparently similar beliefs & rituals in different cultures. Dow proposes that in Central & North Mexico two types of shaman may be identified: (i) a traditional type, & (ii) a curandero type, who are found in areas where native cultures have been more greatly influenced by Europeans. Also discussed are 'Evil Beings', attacks by immaterial beings, shamanic diagnosis & treatment, the loss of the soul or animating force, sorcery, & the social status of the shaman.

This site is divided into five sections/links: (i) 'Cultures & Regions', (ii) 'Mesoamerican Deities', (iii) 'Special Topics', (iv) 'Related Links', & (v) 'Bibliography and Recommended Reading'. The six 'Special Topics' are: 'The Ball Game', 'The Land of the Dead', 'Omeyotl -The Cosmic Duality', 'Jade - A Sacred Stone', 'Gold from Central America', and 'Musical Instruments'.

We here find a discussion of the women in Meso-American culture & their relation to the goddesses who served as their protectors & who guided their behaviour. Each of the eight goddesses found in the Codex is discussed individually under the heading 'A Goddess to Each Woman'. The site is available in both Spanish & English format.

Chronology of Meso-American Archaeology. A list of thirty peoples is provided with a brief survey of each. It is stated that "This chronology is designed to accompany Michael D. Coe's two books The Maya (6th edition, 1999) and Mexico (4th edition, 1994), on which it is largely based."

Meso-american religions, including Maya, Zapotec, Mixtec, and Aztec. Each culture is discussed under the headings of (i) The Perceived Relationship Between Humans & Supernaturals, (ii) Principal Beliefs & Major Gods, (iii) Expression of Religious Themes in Art & Writing, (iv) The Ideological Function of Religion in Society, & (v) Religion & the Needs of the State. See also Homepage. Articles by Kevin L. Callahan, University of Minnesota, Dept. of Anthropology.

This site by Ellie Crystal is divided into twelve sections, which include headings such as 'Geography', 'Writing', 'Society', 'Olmec Centers', 'Monuments - Stone Heads', 'Art', & 'Gods & Goddesses'.

Quetzalcoatl: The Man, The Myth, The Legend. A wealth of information, including a brief introduction to the Toltec, Mixtec, Chichimec, Aztec, & Maya, cosmological themes, various deities, a discussion of the possible association of Quetzalcoatl with Olmec religion, maps of the region, & a Meso-American chronology, as well as extensive bibliographic references.

Quetzalcoatl: Papers, by anthropologist Brant Gardner. Included is a general introduction to the myth of Quetzalcoatl, and a number of articles on the impact of the Spanish/Christianity upon that figure. These latter include 'Quetzalcoatl's Virgin Birth', 'Quetzacoatl's Benevolent Religion', & 'Quetzalcoatl's Preaching of the One God'. There is also a discussion on 'Quetzalcoatl's Fathers', four of which are mentioned in his mythology.

Teotihuacan, City of the Gods: Home Page. This archaeological site provides a wealth of material about Teotihuacan, which at its height was perhaps the sixth largest city in the world. It also had an impact upon most of Meso-America, and functioned for centuries until its sudden collapse about the seventh century A.D. A tour of the city is provided by way of short movies, which view the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent, the Avenue of the Dead, the Cuidadela, & the Sun Pyramid. These, along with the Pyramid of the Moon, are discussed in detail in the text under separate headings. Close-up/larger views of the structures are available by clicking on the images.

Anthropologist James W. Dow of Oakland University, Michigan, provides an introduction to the cultural anthropology of the region, including discussions on geography, Meso-America as a sub-area of Middle America, & its anthropology, a history of anthropological interest in Middle America, indigenous cultures, & urban cultures, that of Teotihuacan being an ancient example. Given Winter's view of Olmec origins (see previous link), it is notable that Dow, in reference to Meso-America, states that "There is evidence of some pre Colombian transoceanic contact, but so far no one has shown that foreign cultures before the Spanish conquest had any significant impact on the evolution of cultures in Mesoamerica."

This is an article by William F. Keegan on the Lucayan Taino Indians of the Caribbean. Keegan discusses their origins on the banks of the Orinoco in Venezuela, the Lucayan's diet, which included the cultivation of at least 50 different plants, their society & village life, religion, warfare, & finally their extermination in the Lucayan Islands by the Spanish within a generation of the latter's arrival. See also Taino Culture in the Caribbean Antilles, which includes links to 'pottery traditions in the Caribbean', and to an important contact period study by Ramón Pané.

A brief discussion by Gillett G. Griffin of Olmec art, an exhibition of which was held at Princeton University in 1996. Olmec art is said to have been created to give power to the shaman or shaman/ruler, and its creation is a sacred work. It is also stated that 'Olmec is the only ancient civilization which celebrates, in a monumental and masterful way, the human baby.

A discussion of the history, symbols, religion, language, & geography of the Zapotec people.

This site gives a brief discussion of the city of Tula, capital city of the Toltec empire, and which rose to power about 968 A.D. following the collapse of Teotihuacan between about the seventh & tenth centuries A.D. Within the text links to discussions of the 'Toltec Indian Empire' & 'Teotihuacan' are given. See also Gods for a brief discussion of several of the gods of Latin America.