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Features the discovery in Mexico, of a monument, called the La Mojarra Stela, whose hieroglyphic inscriptions reveal an early writing system before the Mayan civilization. This discovery is adding to information on how writing originated in Mesoamerica.

Discusses new evidence for a pre-Clovis culture in the New World, products of a migration up to 40,000 years ago, with a simple hunter-gatherer society. The Greenberg hypothesis, postulating three waves of migration, is also discussed. Problems with Greenberg hypothesis; Development of hypothesis; Linguistic refutation; Deeper archeological findings. INSET: The big picture, by V.M..

Explores the controversy surrounding the reported documentation of handedness in nonhuman primates, according to linguist Peter McNeilage of the University of Texas in Austin. Criticisms of McNeilage's theory from primatologists; First reports on handedness in nonhuman primates and its role in language development; Results of subsequent studies on primate handedness; Mixed results of current studies; McNeilage's theory or `Postural Origins' theory.

Reports on the discovery of the tomb of possibly one of the greatest rulers of Maya civilization, Ruler 2 of Dos Pilas in Guatemala. Maya civilization; Theory that warfare was central to the Maya collapse.