The Rise of Mesoamerican Civilizations

Laura Reiner
Reference Librarian
Goldfarb Library
(781) 736-4689

This page is based on the work of Ann Frenkel.

Contents

• Get research help
• Brandeis research guides
• Find background information
  • general anthropology
  • Mesoamerican topics
• Maps & atlases
• Literature reviews
• Guides & bibliographies
• Find books
• Find articles
• Key journals
• Key websites
• Cite your sources

Get research help

Library home page

Get free research help!

• In person: reference librarians in Goldfarb Library are available Monday-Friday 10-5 and 6-9; Sundays noon-5
  or email me if you'd like to make an appointment
  
• Get research help by phone - email - chat reference 24/7: click on

Brandeis research guides - more help in greater detail

• QuickStart Guide to Research in Anthropology
• In-depth Guide to Research in Anthropology
• In-depth Guide to Art, Architecture & Photography - especially for image searching
• more research guides

Find background information

Subject encyclopedias provide a broad overview of current research and a short list (bibliography) of key resources.

= General Anthropology =

• The Dictionary of Anthropology
  A one-volume dictionary of general anthropological concepts. Many of the signed entries, prepared by leading scholars, have suggestions for further reading. The volume concludes with an extensive bibliography.
  Location: Main Library Ref GN307 .D485 1997
  
  
• Encyclopedia of Cultural Anthropology
  This four-volume, illustrated encyclopedia offers substantial signed entries, each with an extensive list of references. Use the detailed index in Volume 4.
  Location: Main Library Ref GN307 .E52 1996
  
  
• Encyclopedia of World Cultures
  A10 volume encyclopedia with summary overviews written by experts of specific cultures, by region of the world. Each summary covers: ethonyms, orientation, history, settlements, economy, kinship, marriage and family, sociopolitical organization, religion and expressive culture, and a bibliography. Volume 10 includes a list of cultures by country, an ethonym index, and a very useful subject index for cross-cultural comparisons.
  Location: Main Library Ref GN307 .E53 1991
  
  
• Grove Art Online - Full-text articles, illustrations, index, bibliographies, and links to color images of art works, including comprehensive coverage of painting, sculpture, architecture, graphic and decorative arts, and photography from prehistory to the present

= Mesoamerican Topics =

• Archaeology of Ancient Mexico and Central America: An Encyclopedia
  More than 500 articles giving basic information about the ancient past of "Middle America." Includes photographs, drawings, bibliographical references to other works and a detailed index.
  Location: Main Library Ref F1218.5 .A73 2001
  
  
• Encyclopedia of Ancient Mesoamerica
  Dictionary-style volume with brief entries. Includes an appendix with a glossary, and a list Mesoamerican deities and cultural groups.
  Location: Main Library Stacks + F1219 .B932 1996
  
  
• Historical Dictionary of Ancient Mesoamerica
  Brief entries with basic information about Mesoamerican cultures, figures, places and political, social, religious and economic activities and traditions. Includes an extensive bibliography for further reading.
  Location: Main Library Ref F1434 .P35 2000
  
  
• Oxford Encyclopedia of Mesoamerican Cultures: The Civilizations of Mexico and Central America
  Three volumes with in-depth articles on all topics concerning Mesoamerican culture, especially highlighting new developments in research since the 1960s including the many linguistic breakthroughs. Entries include bibliographic references, and volume 3 has a comprehensive index.
  Location: Main Library Ref F1218.5 .O95 2001
  
  
• Women's Roles in Ancient Civilizations: A Reference Guide
  See especially the chapter on "Women in Ancient Mesoamerica" by Andrea J. Stone.
  Location: Main Library Ref HQ1127 .W654 1999

Literature Reviews: Broad articles that put your topic in context

The thematic essays in these volumes provide reviews of the research to date on selected topics in anthropology, written by experts. Extensive bibliographies follow each essay.

• Annual Review of Anthropology 1972-2004
  in print: Main Stacks GN1 .A623 1972-2002
  
• Annual Review of Anthropology 1972-1997 (via JSTOR)
  
  
• Biennial Review of Anthropology 1959-1971
  in print: Main Library Stacks GN1 .A622

Bibliographies & research guides

Annotated lists of journal articles, books, statistics, etc.

• FAMSI bibliography - Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies, Inc.
  
  
• Mesoamerican Archaeology: A Guide to the Literature and Other Information Sources
  Location: Main Library - Stacks: F1434 .M242 1981
  
  
• Art and Archaeology of Pre-Columbian Middle America: An Annotated Bibliography of Works in English
  Location: Main Library - Stacks: Z1208.M4 K45
  
  
• Bibliografiá de arqueología y etnografía: Mesoamérica y Norte de México, 1514-1960
  Location: Main Library Stacks: - + Z1209 .B45
  
  
• International Bibliography of Anthropology
  Classified list of materials in social and cultural anthropology (1955-1997). Part of the International Bibliography of the Social Sciences. Particularly useful for locating materials published by national and regional journals around the world. Subject, Author and Placename indexes.
  Location: Main Library I ndex & Abstracts Z5111 .I55
  
  
• Introduction to Library Research in Anthropology
  A annotated guide to anthropological literature worldwide. Includes author and geographic indexes.
  Location: Main Library Ref GN42 .W44 1991
  
  
• Cultural Anthropology: A Guide to Reference and Information Sources
  An annotated guide to anthropological sources in various parts of the world. Includes information on anthropological organizations, libraries and archives, as well as author/title and subject indexes.
  Location: Main Library Ref Z5111 .K53 1991

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