Mexican Copper Tools: The Use of Copper by the Mexicans Before the Conquest; and the Katunes of Maya History, a Chapter in the Early History of Central America, With Special Reference to the Pio Perez Manuscript.

This study opens a window onto the world of pre‑conquest Mexican metallurgy, revealing how indigenous peoples turned native copper into tools for everyday life rather than weapons. Drawing on archaeological finds, historic accounts, and detailed illustrations, the author compares the sophisticated casting techniques of central‑American artisans with the simpler hammer‑shaped implements of their northern counterparts. Readers learn how copper axes, chisels, and even delicate jewelry were produced in workshops that combined heat, molds, and skilled craftsmanship, highlighting a vibrant tradition that thrived long before European contact.

The second half of the work turns to Maya chronology, presenting a translation of the Pío Pérez manuscript and a series of tables that map the Maya calendar’s days, months, and katun cycles. Accompanied by maps and diagrams, the text offers a clear introduction to the complex time‑keeping system that underpinned Maya history. Together, the copper analysis and the calendrical study provide a richly illustrated glimpse into the technological and intellectual achievements of ancient Central America.