A Note on the Discovery of Teonanacatl
- Source: American Anthropologist (New Series Vol 42 No 3 Part 1 July-Sept 1940)
- Author: Jean Bassett Johnson
Summary
In this letter, American linguist Jean Bassett Johnson (1915 – 1944) writes to clear up confusion regarding the person responsible for the discovery of teonanacatl, the sacred mushroom of the Aztecs.
Johnson states that American biologist Richard Evans Schultes has erroneously been given credit for the discovery of teonanacatl by a Dr. La Barre. An earlier discovery of teonanacatl had previously been uncovered (and noted in Johnson’s data) by Mr. R.J. Weitlaner. Johnson also outlines older works where teonanacatl is mentioned.