Synopses & Reviews
Maya civilization was the longest lived and most widely spread of all the great cultures of ancient America. The tremendous artistic legacy of the Maya, most spectacularly seen at great temple complexes such as Chichén Itzá, continues to inspire awe and fascination.
This book presents the art of the Maya in all its glory, ranging from monumental architecture and intricate stone cravings to breathtakingly vivid wall paintings and exquisite jade jewellery. Many of the themes covered here continue to preoccupy the popular imagination, including the mysteries of the Maya prophecies; the astonishing accuracy of the astronomer-priests in charting the movements of stars and planets; the secrets of the Maya glyphs; the cults of blood-letting and sun worship; and the mysterious "ballgame" with its arcane rules and macabre practices. These major areas, and many more, are interpreted visually through icongraphy, pattern and symbolism, as well as in terms of their historical and spiritual significance.
The perfect addition to any library of art and imagination, The Maya sets new standards in capturing the achievements of a lost civilization through the marriage of word and image.