ABSTRACT
This chapter offers an analysis of this historical phenomenon. It examines the ways in which both Ancient Egypt and Egyptology served as a powerful reference/model for the investigation and interpretation of Mesoamerican prehispanic remains during the early 19th century. An important figure in this early 19th century fascination for Egypt and Mexico was the British naturalist, traveller and showman William Bullock. It also demonstrates that the critical examination of historical displays constitutes a rich ground for understanding the 19th century development of regional archaeologies and their connections throughout the 19th century. By presenting the historiography of Ancient Mexico and by analyzing its representations and its rationale, the chapter shows the ways in which Ancient Egypt and Egyptology served as powerful models for investigation and representation of Mesoamerica in the early 1800s. It demonstrates that the links between archaeological studies of Egypt and Mesoamerica can be traced back to early 19th century exhibitions and surveys.
