Introduction. Popol Vuh, a Maya creation myth ; Time and preclassic Mesoamerica ; Chiefdoms and cycles ; The early Maya and the Isthmian region -- In the beginning : early Mesoamerican prehistory. Early occupation : The Paleoindian or Lithic stage ; The Archaic stage ; The Archaic-to-Formative transition ; The early Mesoamerican tradition ; Discussion -- Mesoamerican calendrics : time and its recording. The 260-day calendar ; The 360- and 365-day calendars ; The long count and the May ; Origins of the Mesoamerican calendars ; Recording time ; Discussion -- Maya calendar developments in broader context. Originally thirteen months? ; Beginnings and endings ; The months and the day names : a derivational model ; Calendrical origins and the Popol Vuh -- Middle and late preclassic : the Gulf Coast Olmec and the Epi-Olmec. Architectural patterns ; Monuments, iconography, and themes ; Discussion : calendrical implications ; The Epi-Olmec ; Discussion -- Late preclassic : Izapa and Kaminaljuyú and related sites ; Discussion : calendrical implications -- The early Maya lowlands : origins and settlements. Origin myths ; Archaeology : the earliest lowland settlers and their languages ; Archaeology and architecture ; Archaeology and exchange ; Discussion -- Early lowland Maya intellectual culture : writing, stelae, and "government". Writing systems ; The Stela "Cult" and calendrics ; Ties to the Isthmus ; Leadership, politics, and government -- The materialization and politicization of time. Development of the calendars ; The Popol Vuh and calendars ; Pilgrimages and Tollans ; Cycling : chiefly and calendrical ; Maya calendars : order, legitimacy, and wealth
