Ancient America, in Notes on American Archaeology

"Ancient America, in Notes on American Archaeology" by John D. Baldwin is a journey into the mysterious past of ancient civilizations in America, like the Mound-Builders of the Mississippi Valley, and cultures found in Mexico and Central America. The book begins by pointing out how little information existed about American archaeology at the time, emphasizing the importance of understanding these ancient societies. Baldwin focuses on the Mound-Builders, an unknown group who left behind many earthworks showing they lived in well-organized societies, like the ones investigated earlier by researchers such as Squier and Davis. Baldwin presents connections between the mounds and similar structures in Mexico, hinting at shared roots, and it sets the stage to learn about the lives and developments of ancient people.