Ancient South America (Cambridge World Archaeology)

This is an excellent, affordable reference for those looking for a general coverage of ancient cultures in South America. It is quite approachable for someone new to this area of study, and is very commendable for being quite comprehensive. However, those interested in antiquities or the cultural output of these cultures will be quite disappointed with the lack of illustrations and photographs. Pick this one up to learn the ropes, and move on to more specific, better-illustrated references for the cultures that interest you.