Almost exhaustive proof of the wholly indigenous nature of the American religions is offered by the existence of the ruins of the large centers of culture and civilization, which are found scattered through Yucatan and Peru. These civilizations preceded those of the Aztecs and Incas by a very considerable period, how long it is impossible in the present state of our knowledge of the subject to say. Those huge, buried cities, the Nineveh's and Thebes of the West, have left not even a name, and of the peoples who dwelt in them, we are almost wholly ignorant. That they were of a race cognate with the Aztecs and Toltecs appears probable when we consider the similarity of design which their architecture bears to the later ruins of the Aztec structure. Nevertheless, there is equally strong evidence to the contrary. At what epoch in the history of the world these cities were erected, it would at present be idle to speculate. The recent discovery of a buried city in the Panhandle region of Texas may throw some light upon this question and indeed upon the dark places of American archæology as a whole. In the case of the buried cities of Uxmal and Palenqüe, great antiquity is generally agreed upon. Indeed one writer on the subject goes so far as to place their foundation at the beginning of the second Glacial Epoch!

"Fascinated by the history and cultures of three highly developed ancient societies--the Mayans, followed by the Aztecs in Mesoamerica and the Incas farther south--Ferguson examines their artifacts and those of the Spanish conquistadors, in relation to the traditions preserved today by their many descendants...Part anthropological study, part history and part folklore... distills a huge amount of information to present a clear, uncluttered and rich resource."--"Publishers Weekly." "Fun, inspiring, educational, and all in all, a great read."--"The New Times."

The Myths of Mexico & Peru is a detailed study on the history and mythology of ancient Aztecs and Incas, providing valuable information to allow understanding into the background of Latin American heritage. The book includes tales of the myths of creations, legends of numerous Mesoamerican Gods, such as Quetzalcoatl, Tlaloc, Tezcatlipoca and Huitzilopochtli, and many other interesting folk tales of the ancient tribes of Mexico and Peru.

"This outstanding study spans four rich civilizations in ancient Mexico, from 1500 B.C. to the Spanish conquest soon after A.D.1500: The "Olmecs," hunters and farmers who worshipped the man-jaguar and became the first great carvers in stone and jade. The culture of "Teotihuacan," with its sumptuous palaces and gigantic Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. The "Toltec" dynasty, whose temples, wreathed with carvings of predatory beasts, serpents and warriors, testify to a new militaristic phase in Mexican history. The "Aztecs," fierce empire-builders whose gods demanded complex rituals and the blood of human sacrifice. Writing for students, travellers and non-specialists, Nigel Davies puts these fascinating cultures into historical context. Drawing on the latest research, he discusses their arts, beliefs and customs, and their changing economic and political conditions, to build up a vivid picture of life in the kingdoms of ancient Mexico." --provided by Goodreads.