This book examines one of the thorniest problems of ancient American archaeology: the origins and domestication of maize. Using a variety of scientifi c techniques, Duccio Bonavia explores the development of maize, its adaptation to varying climates, and its fundamental role in ancient American cultures. An appendix (by Alexander Grobman) provides the fi rst-ever comprehensive compilation of maize genetic data, correlating these data with the archaeological evidence presented throughout the book. This book provides a unique interpretation of questions of dating and evolution, supported by extensive data, following the spread of maize from South to North America, and eventually to Europe and beyond.