The Ancient Cities of the New World Being Travels and Explorations in Mexico and Central America From 1857-1882

In this vivid travelogue, a French explorer recounts his journeys across the highlands of Mexico and the jungles of Central America between 1857 and 1882. He weaves personal observation with careful measurement, documenting ruins, artifacts, and local lore that hint at a once‑great civilization he believes to be the Toltecs. The narrative offers readers a front‑row seat to the challenges of nineteenth‑century fieldwork, from negotiating rugged terrain to interpreting fragmented oral histories.

Interlaced with detailed illustrations, the work also presents a scholarly attempt to untangle the many conflicting theories that have clouded our understanding of pre‑Columbian societies. By comparing architectural styles, pottery marks, and ancient maps, the author proposes a coherent timeline that stretches from early settlements to their apex in the Classical period. Listeners will come away with a richer sense of how early explorers grappled with the mysteries that still inspire archaeologists today.