Daily Life in Maya Civilization

(Paperback, 2nd edition)

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Description

Experience daily life in Maya civilization, from its earliest beginnings to the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. Narrative chapters describe Mayan political life, economy, social structure, religion, writing, warfare, and scientific methods. Readers will explore the Mayan calendar, counting system, hunting and gathering methods, language, and family roles and relationships. A revised and expanded edition based on the latest archaeological research, this volume offers new interpretations and corrects popular misconceptions, and shows how the Maya adapted to their environment and preserved their culture and language over thousands of years. Over 60 photos and illustrations, several of new archaeological sites, enhance the material, and an expanded resource center bibliography includes web sites and DVDs for further study. The closing chapter discusses what Maya civilization means for us today and what we can learn from Maya achievements and failures. A first-stop reference source for any student of Latin American and Native American history and culture.

Reviews

In this update to the 1996 edition, Sharer (Quirigua) includes scholarship from newly deciphered Maya writings and from fresh archaeological discoveries in the lowland, highland, and Pacific Coast areas. Special attention has also been paid to the Early Maya segment, reflecting an upsurge in relevant scholarship. The book's 13 chapters move through the Maya civilization's 13,000-year social, economic, and cultural development. Also offered is a thought-provoking consideration of Maya civilization and the lessons it can impart to contemporary Western society. An absorbing read.' * Library Journal *
This reference for general readers and students in high school and up draws on established facts and data-based hypotheses to reconstruct the ancient Maya civilization, and also draws on the author's 40 years of experience directing archaeological excavations at Maya sites in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Rather than continually citing the vast literature, the referencing system used in the first edition has been continued and expanded for this second edition: a listing of principal sources of information for subjects covered at the end of each chapter. For this edition, there are new references to DVDs and web sites. This second edition reflects newly discovered sites and new decipherments of Maya writing since the first edition was published in 1996, and contains a new chapter on the changes that occurred at the end of the Middle Maya civilization. To make room for this chapter, the chapter on arts and crafts has been dropped, with information incorporated into chapters on the economy and society. There are 12 new B&W illustrations. A chronology and notes on pronunciation are included. * Reference & Research Book News *
This new Daily Life in Maya Civilization is highly recommended for Central American and Mexican history collections in academic and public libraries. * ARBAonline *

Author Bio

Robert J. Sharer is Sally and Alvin Shoemaker Professor in Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania.