Afterword

The articles in this special journal issue (see related abstracts) illustrate the various terms used for classifying the units of social organization among indigenous Mesoamericans, & examine more general problems with theory & methodology in anthropology, eg, the tendency to create false dichotomies, lack of clarity, & the practice of improperly distinguishing between surface & deep features. It is argued in an afterward that these difficulties have impeded the anthropological study of Mesoamerica. The significance of a master construct of social structure is considered, & the more modern tendency to take Mesoamerican studies holistically is praised. D. Weibel