Essays of an Americanist / I. Ethnologic and Archæologic. II. Mythology and Folk Lore. III. Graphic Systems and Literature. IV. Linguistic.

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Gutenberg ID

58464

Title

Essays of an Americanist / I. Ethnologic and Archæologic. II. Mythology and Folk Lore. III. Graphic Systems and Literature. IV. Linguistic.

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Daniel G. Brinton presents a scholarly defense of ancient American intellectual capacity, challenging modern anthropological underestimates of indigenous psychology. This collection of essays explores the phonetic nature of Mexican and Maya writing systems, analyzes the logic of American languages, and argues for the autochthony of American culture through detailed linguistic and archaeological evidence.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Essays of an Americanist*, Professor Daniel G. Brinton assembles previously scattered articles to defend his views regarding the ancient population of the American continent. He vigorously argues against the prevailing ethnological tendency to underrate the psychology of indigenous peoples, asserting that even 'rude' tribes possessed high sentiments and excellent mental capacities. Brinton contends that judging these ancient conditions by the standards of modern, degenerate representatives leads to significant error. A central theme of the work is the vindication of American graphic systems. Brinton details the evolution of writing in Mexico and Yucatan, demonstrating that Aztec and Maya scripts were not merely pictographic but utilized colors and figures with definite phonetic values. He illustrates how the Mexican script was polychromatic, where colors like yellow or red served as integral phonetic elements for specific syllables, a sophistication he argues rivals or exceeds that of Egyptian hieroglyphs. While acknowledging that Maya and Aztec systems were independent developments, he maintains that both reached high levels of graphic evolution, composing words, sentences, and treatises. The text provides extensive linguistic analysis of American tongues, including Nahuatl, Maya, Cree, Guarani, and Tinné. Brinton explores phonology, noting how consonants often convey related ideas or opposites, and how primitive speech frequently incorporated entire sentences into single words through a process of 'incorporation.' He highlights the logical associations inherent in these sounds, such as specific consonants expressing concepts of time, space, force, or motion. Furthermore, he examines the complex grammatical structures of these languages, particularly their extensive pronoun systems and the use of a single tense for past, present, and future actions. Brinton concludes that American civilizations achieved sophisticated systems of thought, poetry, and record-keeping independently, possessing a rich cultural heritage that deserves recognition equal to that of the Old World.

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Categories

• History
• Anthropology