[Aztlan] "Disappearing" Maya...

[Kim Goldsmith]

Listeros and Bradley,

As an archaeologist who also gives tours on a regular basis at Teotihuacan
to world diplomats and "regular" people, I often get the same question about
"Why did the (so-and-so) disappear?"  My answer is always the following:

"Contrary to popular belief, spontaneous combustion was NOT a problem in
prehispanic times"

Then I go on to tell them what we believe DID happen.  It drives the point
home and gives folks a chuckle, also helping them to not feel stupid/sorry
that they asked.  Hope all of you got a chuckle out of it too!

Looking forward to seeing a lot of you down here in Mexico this month for
the ICAs, the Conferencias Magistrales at the MNA in conjunction with the
Teo. exhibit, and the Homenaje a William Sanders at the ENAH (the latter 2
at which I will be speaking).

Enjoy your summer!

KIM