The first immigrants to this hemisphere arrived between 15,000 and 10,000 years ago. As time progressed many unique and advanced cultures developed, particularly in Mesoamerica.

Luckily for Baltimore and its environs, the Walters Art Museum will soon open a new special exhibition, "Exploring Art of the Ancient Americas," focusing on artifacts from Mesoamerica. The show, which opens Feb. 12, will provide all of us with an opportunity to learn more about the cultural history of our hemisphere, a history that our schools have long neglected.

Don Wiley