Synopses & Reviews
The Maya has long been established as the best, most readable introduction to the New World's greatest ancient civilization. In these pages Professor Coe distills a lifetime's scholarship for the general reader and student. Since the publication of the sixth edition of The Maya, new sites have been uncovered and further excavations in old sites have proceeded at an unprecedented pace. Among the many new discoveries is the chance find of extraordinary murals dating to ca. AD 100 at San Bartolo in the Peten. New epigraphic, archaeological, and osteological research has thrown light on the identity of the "founding fathers" of such great sites as Tikal and Copan, and their close affiliation with Teotihuacan in central Mexico. The previously little known center of Ek' Balam in northeastern Yucatan has turned out to be a regional kingdom of major importance, with extraordinary stucco reliefs and a plethora of painted inscriptions. It has now become apparent that the birth of Maya civilization lies not in the Classic but during the Preclassic period, above all in the Mirador Basin of northern Guatemala, where the builders of gigantic ancient cities (interconnected by causeways) erected the world's largest pyramid as early as 200 BC. All of these finds suggest that we must rethink what we mean by "Classic." The seventh edition also presents new evidence for the use of wetlands by the Classic Maya, and fresh perspectives on the catastrophic demise of Classic civilization by the close of the ninth century.
Synopsis
"A clear and intelligent description of the development and organization of Maya civilization". -- Natural History
The Maya has long been established as the best and most readable introduction to the New World's greatest ancient civilization. In these pages Michael D. Coe distills a lifetime'sscholarship for the general reader and student.
Now, for the sixth edition, Professor Coe incorporates the latest ideas and research in a fast-changing field. Spectacular tomb discoveries at the city of Copan reveal some of the early artistic and architectural splendors at this major site. New finds here and elsewhere entail a complete reinterpretation of the relationship between the warrior-kings of the Classic Maya lowlands and Teotihuacan, the greatest city of pre-Conquest America. Continuing epigraphic breakthroughs -- decipherments of Maya inscriptions -- demonstrate vividly the shifting power blocs among the competing Maya city states.
A special feature of this revised edition is a new guide to reading Maya hieroglyphic writing, for students, visitors to the Maya area, and scholars alike.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 249-253) and index.
About the Author
'Michael D. Coeis Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at Yale University. His books include The Maya, Mexico, The True History of Chocolate, Breaking the Maya Code, and Reading the Maya Glyphs.'