In reference to the "fine workmanship" mentioned by Jarom (Jarom 1:8), Hunter and Ferguson note that Ixtlilxochitl and several other sixteenth century writers (on Mesoamerica) claim that the Tultecas of ancient Bountiful-land were highly skilled in the various arts and crafts. "The Tultecas were great architects and carpenters and were skilled in the mechanical arts, like silversmiths. They took out (mined) gold and silver and smelted it, and carved precious stones; they did the best thing of what there is in the world." [Milton Hunter and Thomas Ferguson, Ancient America and the Book of Mormon, p. 257]