Very good introduction to whole subject. Treats history of scholarship, the definition and taxonomy of 'writing' and then gives. Discusses Mesoamerican writing generally and gives a systematic review of data on Zapotec and Maya texts -- provenance, date, interpretation. Excellent "time-line" diagram. Treatment of calendrics is sometimes a bit confusing. Talks about "year bearers" without defining. Presence of the factor "5" in the equation on p. 40 is mysterious.