The Fundamental Principles of Old and New World Civilizations is Zelia Nuttall’s ambitious comparative study of ancient Mexican religious, sociological, and calendrical systems set beside those of the Old World. A pioneering archaeologist of Mesoamerica, Nuttall examines symbolism, cosmology, and ritual to argue for deep structural parallels between civilizations.
The book reflects the early-twentieth-century interest in diffusion and comparative religion, and while some of its bolder claims are debated, it draws on serious knowledge of Aztec and other Mexican sources. Nuttall was among the first women to achieve distinction in American archaeology, and her work remains notable for its scholarship and scope. It is a substantial source for the study of Mesoamerican religion and comparative civilization.