This attractive volume is an introduction to native American architecture for intelligent, uninformed readers. Robertson’s text surveys the field, fixing with assurance on its salient features. The 122 plates clearly and emphatically illustrate his observations.
Central Mexico, the Maya area, and the Andes are the regions covered. The remainder of pre-Columbian America, possessing no comparable architecture, is not treated. Within the three areas, the first two receive preponderant attention. Central Mexico and the Maya area are presented as divergent topics with similarities sufficient to allow a combined contrast with the Andes. The architectural relationship Robertson compares with the linguistic relationship of Spanish and Italian to German.
As with the languages there are common qualities that extend over large areas and local idiosyncrasies peculiar to small areas. Among the former, in central Mexico, are the “Mixteca Puebla” traits originally proposed by Vaillant, including a four-part cosmology, as in the city plan of Tenochtitlán, and a two-part cosmology, represented by the two temples of the typical Aztec pyramid. Religion and calendar provide common qualities in central Mexico, and they govern the architecture in its monumental forms (non-religious monumental buildings are rarely found) and in the practices of cyclical rebuilding. Robertson’s text is exceptionally informative on Mexican pyramids and palaces. Maya and central Mexico are compared in these respects, as well as with reference to architectural sculpture and painting. In city plans the two organizational principles, one of axis and the other of enclosure, are found in both areas. For the Andes Robertson’s treatment is more conventional and brief, and it is surely the Mexicanist who will profit most from what he has to say.
The illustrations are without exception of high quality. There are three schematic maps, chronological charts, notes, bibliography, and index.
