The Ancient Maya of Central America evoke images of temples in the rainforest, stone carvings, and ritual bloodlettings. They developed sophisticated city-states, hieroglyphic literacy, exquisite ceramics, and the most advanced mathematics and astronomy in the New World. Despite more than a century of archaeological investigation, many details of the rise and fall of the Maya are still hotly debated. Now Dr. Heather McKillop (Louisiana State University), former Earthwatch principal investigator of Maya Traders, has produced a comprehensive summary of scholarly understanding for the general reader.
The Ancient Maya: New Perspectives includes the most recent findings of McKillop, who has focused on the trade practices of coastal Maya in Belize, and many of her colleagues. With a broad brush, McKillop summarizes the Maya Civilization from its origins to its demise 1,000 years ago. She explores their economics, social structure, politics, and religion, and delves into major controversies still surrounding the Maya. The Ancient Maya is thoroughly researched and presented with full references, but is accessible to lay readers interested in this mysterious civilization.
The Ancient Maya: New Perspectives. Heather McKillop. ABC-CLIO, Inc., 2004.