NOTES
[1] All things considered, the Maya may be regarded as having developed probably the highest aboriginal civilization in the Western Hemisphere, although it should be borne in mind that they were surpassed in many lines of endeavor by other races. The Inca, for example, excelled them in the arts of weaving and dyeing, the Chiriqui in metal working, and the Aztec in military proficiency.
[2] The correlation of Maya and Christian chronology herein followed is that suggested by the writer in "The Correlation of Maya and Christian Chronology" (Papers of the School of American Archæology, No. 11). See Morley, 1910 b, cited in Bibliography, pp. XV, XVI. There are at least six other systems of correlation, however, on which the student must pass judgment. Although no two of these agree, all are based on data derived from the same source, namely, the Books of Chilan Balam (see p. [3], footnote 1). The differences among them are due to the varying interpretations of the material therein presented. Some of the systems of correlation which have been proposed, besides that of the writer, are:
1. That of Mr. C. P. Bowditch (1901 a), found in his pamphlet entitled "Memoranda on the Maya Calendars used in The Books of Chilan Balam."
2. That of Prof. Eduard Seler (1902-1908: I, pp. 588-599). See also Bulletin 28, p. 330.
3. That of Mr. J. T. Goodman (1905).
4. That of Pio Perez, in Stephen's Incidents of Travel in Yucatan (1843: I, pp. 434-459; II, pp. 465-469) and in Landa, 1864: pp. 366-429.
As before noted, these correlations differ greatly from one another, Professor Seler assigning the most remote dates to the southern cities and Mr. Goodman the most recent. The correlations of Mr. Bowditch and the writer are within 260 years of each other. Before accepting any one of the systems of correlation above mentioned, the student is strongly urged to examine with care The Books of Chilan Balam.
[3] It is probable that at this early date Yucatan had not been discovered, or at least not colonized.