Excavations at Kaminaljuyu, Guatemala

Between 1936 and 1942, Kidder, Jennings, and Shook, three archaeologists associated with the Carnegie Institution, excavated two temple substructures within the site of Kaminaljuyu. Their efforts constitute the earliest major research on this site.

The initial work at Kaminaljuyu led to the establishment of a long consecutive chronological sequence for an area within the Guatemala highlands. Through this research our understanding of the chronological interrelationships of the various Classic civilizations of Mesoamerica was altered. Moreover, Kidder, Jennings, and Shook made the very important discovery of the extraordinary impact of Teotihuacan culture on Kaminaljuyu during the Middle Classic period.

Were it not for the achievements of these three archaeologists the later research reported in this series would not have taken place. This classic work has been unavailable to researchers for many years. It is with pleasure that this volume is now reprinted as the first volume in The Pennsylvania State University Press Monograph Series on Kaminaljuyu.