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The World of the Ancient Maya

Written by: John S. Henderson
Narrated by: Nadia May
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Publisher's Summary

The ancient Maya were the only fully literate pre-Colombian people in the Americas. Superb scientists, they developed highly sophisticated mathematics and an intricate and accurate calendar system. Theirs was one of the few complex societies to emerge in and to adapt successfully to a tropical-forest environment. Their architecture, sculpture, and painting were sophisticated and compellingly beautiful.

In this comprehensive survey, updated for this new edition, Henderson explores the entire Maya cultural tradition, from the earliest traces of settlement through the period of the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. His wide-ranging account treats diverse aspects of the Maya world, from religion and philosophy to the environments of the various Maya peoples, using deciphered Maya texts to reconstruct the ancient societies.

©1981 Cornell University Press (P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc.

What the critics say

"The best full-length, up-to-date overview of Maya archaeology available today." (Choice)
"A superb, panoramic view of the entire history and extent of Maya culture....This book...could be taken as a model of its kind." (Art Book Review)

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