Abstract
A sketch of the linguistic, geographic and temporal diversification of the Mayan language‐family is offered, and correlations with archaeological discoveries are suggested in many cases. Linguistic contacts of Mayan with non‐Mayan languages and cultures are discussed, and a number of archaeological‐linguistic correlations are suggested. Reference is made to some common linguistic misconceptions often voiced by Meso‐American archaeologists. Some of the more important claims (oversimplified) made here are that Classic Mayans were Cholans, Olmecs and Izapans were Mixe‐Zoqueans, and that there were no Nahuas in Meso‐America before the fall of Teotihuacán.

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