Philip Ainsworth Means

Philip Ainsworth Means
Philip Ainsworth Means was an American historian and writer, best known for his contributions to the study of pre-Columbian cultures in Peru and Latin American history. Born in 1892, he specialized in the archaeology and history of the Andean region, producing influential works such as "Ancient Civilizations of the Andes" and "Fall of the Inca Empire and the Spanish Rule in Peru." Means also worked for the Smithsonian Institution and wrote extensively about Latin American culture and history. His research helped shape early 20th-century perspectives on indigenous civilizations in South America.

Author's Books:


INTRODUCTION In the library of the Peabody Museum of Harvard University there is an invaluable collection of photographs of old manuscripts relating to Middle America. These photographs, made by Professor William E. Gates of Point Loma, California, were given to the Peabody Museum by Charles P. Bowditch, Esq., of Boston. One of the volumes contains a photographic reproduction of an original manuscript... more...

CHAPTER I Concerning the great quantity of silver and gold which was brought from Cuzco, and of the portion thereof which was sent to H. M. the emperor as the royal fifth: How the imprisoned Cacique Atabalipa declared himself free of his promise which he had made to the Spaniards to fill a house with gold for ransom: And of the treason which the said Atabalipa meditated against the Spaniards, for which... more...