The Pursuit of Ruins

Christina Bueno is an associate professor of Latin American history and Latino-Latin American studies at Northeastern Illinois University, USA.

a oeA fascinating look at the formative years of Mexican archaeology and the Porfirian regime's efforts to bring order and progress to the nationa (TM)s indigenous patrimony.a ?a Robert M. Buffington, coauthor of Mexico: An Encyclopedia of Contemporary Culture and History a oeBueno has given voice to both Leopoldo Batres and the local people who opposed him, and she has admirably contextualized their daily struggles within the greater Porfirian nationalist project.a ?a Hispanic American Historical Review a oeNot only does it bring to light rich archival material, but it also describes, with an enjoyable and fluid narrative, the complex network of actors and practices that constituted Mexican archaeology during this period. . . . This superb and entertaining study adds a nuanced perspective to existing studies of archaeology and nationalism.a ? a New Mexico Historical Review The book is beautifully written, never lacking narrative thrust, and always engaging. --Bulletin of Latin American Research