The Maya

by Michael D. Coe

1966

Status

Available

Call number

F1435 .C72

Publication

Publisher Unknown

Description

The Maya has long been established as the best, most readable introduction to the New World's greatest ancient civilization. In its pages Professor Coe distills a lifetime's scholarship for the general reader and student, presenting the latest findings, most exciting scholarship and freshest perspectives on Maya culture. Since the publication of the previous edition, new sites have been uncovered and further excavations in old sites have proceeded at an unprecedented pace. 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. The previously little-known centre of Ek' Bahlam in northeastern Yucatan has emerged as a regional kingdom of major importance, with extraordinary stucco reliefs and a plethora of painted inscriptions. This 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. A new edition of an accessible introduction to the ancient New World civilization incorporates the latest archaeological findings, including the discoveries of San Bartolo murals, new information about the founders of the Tikal and Copan communities, and the regional significance of the Ek' Balam kingdom.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member aethercowboy

If you're like me, you have a fascination with mesoamerican civilizations. Well, my fascination lies more in their mythology, but just the same, the civilization behind the mythology is just as interesting.

Michael Coe gives a historical overview of this once great civilization, explaining their culture in an illuminating way. Both barbaric and beautiful, the Aztecs left their influence on North America before being all but destroyed by the Spanish.

This book is highly recommended to anyone who is interested in precolumbian civilizations, or even just mesoamerican civilizations.… (more)

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LibraryThing member kurvanas

Coe's work still remain some of the best in the field. Enjoyable and fascinating, they bring history alive and let ancient civilization flourish once more. All archaeological/historical authors should take note.

LibraryThing member thcson

I think this book concentrates too much on the archaeological evidence. Of course that's where you must start when interpreting the history of the Maya, but the general reader would probably be more interested in conclusions than the archaeological background.

LibraryThing member LASC

A brief and up-to-date survey of what is known about the Maya civilization. An anthropologist follows them from their probable origins don to the arrival of the more warlike Toltecs and the hybrid splendours of Chicken Itza.

LibraryThing member AlCracka

Extremely dense - think of this as a textbook - but apparently the most comprehensive collection of information about the Maya. I was influenced by Jared Diamond, who in the "Further Reading" section of his excellent "Collapse" says so in no uncertain terms.

Fun trivia: you know that 2012 bs? It's this guy's fault. In an earlier edition of this book, he idly pointed out that the Mayan calendar is cyclical and a cycle ends in 2012; conspiracy theorists took it from there. In this edition he comments on it, with a combination of shame and amusement.… (more)

LibraryThing member AprilBrown

What ages would I recommend it too? – Twelve and up.

Length? – Several days day’s read.

Characters? – Memorable, several characters.

Setting? – Real World, Ancient Maya.

Written approximately? – 1999.

Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? – Yes - What was daily life like for the Maya?

Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher) should cover? No.

Short storyline: A lot of discussion around the Maya.

Notes for the reader: The first 50 pages are useful. There are a lot of pictures, though few maps to figure out the places and times they are talking about about. After the first 50 pages, when they get to an interesting point, they mention it will be covered in chapter nine. I'm not so sure it was. Chapter ten totally confused me. I think the layout could be improved with a few headings that clarify what they are discussing in many places. It's confusing. As if they lumped it all together, and leave it up to the reader to figure out when one time period, or place ends and another begins. The pictures keep it from being a 2.… (more)

LibraryThing member Michael.Bradham

Maps, pictures of temples, artifacts, calendars. Findings of similarities of Maya to Aztec and Asian culture. Mayan everyday life, religion, and culture described. Interesting to read about how calendar linked to astronomical events. Detailed insight of language with pictures.

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