This issue is devoted to a subject of great interest for readers: textiles and clothing. To a large extent, its importance resides in the fact that spinning and weaving are a highly valuable source of information for interpreting and reconstructing part of the life of the ancient world and its expressions in modern-day indigenous dress. Through textiles, converted into items of clothing, ornamentation, and other utilitarian objects, differences and similarities reveal geographic, cultural, social, functional, hierarchical, everyday and ritual, in addition to historical significance. It is also through garments that roots and cultural continuity in Mexico can be traced for more than 2000 years, although it is also through dress, its materials and techniques of production that we can see changes and syncretism in our traditions and customs.
Textiles of Yesterday and Today is the second publication combining the efforts of Fomento Cultural Banamex, A.C. and Arqueología Mexicana, which began with special issue no. 17, The Splendor of Clay. Both issues form part of a series of special editions seeking to disseminate and foster appreciation of past and present history through different objects: the artistic expressions of pre-Hispanic cultures and those of contemporary masters of folk art. In this edition, special recognition is given to spinners and weavers in the history of Mexican textiles.
The texts presented here have been written by outstanding women authors who have devoted part of their life to studying the diverse expressions of indigenous weavers. Our intention on the pages of this issue is to render them much-deserved homage for their work. We begin with a brief introductory article on pre-Hispanic garb by Irmgard Weitlaner Johnson, a generous researcher and teacher who for many years has focused her attention on the study and recovery of indigenous textiles, above all those woven on a backstrap loom. The next two texts were originally published in issue no. 17 of the regular series, devoted to pre-Hispanic garments; they have been updated and redesigned. The first, written by Patricia Rieff Anawalt, speaks of the different items of clothing worn by men and women in ancient Mexico. The second, by Alba Guadalupe Mastache (RIP 2004), deals with Mesoamerican weavings and has been expanded and organized by Mari Nieves Autrey, with useful, didactic tables on raw materials, dyes, and different techniques employed in weaving. Finally, María Teresa Pomar has written a brief overview of the history of Mexican dress, from the 16th century to the present, delineating the principal transformations it has undergone. A wide, beautiful array of textiles from the Banamex collection is illustrated throughout the pages of this issue, which ends with English versions of the texts.
All our thanks go to the people from both teams that participated in the production, editing, and design of this publication. We hope that our readers enjoy this issue and regain the memory of these Mexican traditions and values.

Mónica del Villar K.
Editorial Director