The Nationally museum of Anthropology in Mexico city is considered as one of the best archaeologic and anthropological museums of the western hemisphere. Since his establishment which is a year since now to the fortieth time the museum has served as a scientific equipment to extend our knowledge about the native cultures of Mexico substantially. The present volume provides a representative view about the fascinating collection supplies and examines the role of the museum as a national institution. In accompanying essays leading scientists treat the big precolombian cultures of Maya, Tolteken and Aztek just as the contemporary ethnography of Mexico or the history of the museum.