Ancient Maya Civilization

Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Very Good/Very Good. 1982. First Edition. Hard Cover. Lge 8vo 0521240174 Dust jacket in protective sleeve, chipped to edges, closed tears, unclipped. Brown cloth with bright gilt titling on spine. No ownership marks. 337 pages clean and tight. Maya archaeology has undergone a revolution in the past few years: a century of exploration, excavation, and study of temples and monuments has now been amplified by a wealth of new data on the economy, settlements, and social organization of ancient Maya civilization. Norman Hammond presents a synthesis of current knowledge for the lay reader as well as the student of native American cultures. He describes the discovery of the ancient Maya centers deep in the forests of Central America, outlines the rise and fall of Classic Maya civilization, and examines aspects of Maya culture ranging from the recent discoveries of intensive agriculture in swamps to the architecture, art, religion, and thought of this unique tropical forest society. "The most up-to-date synthesis of Maya material now available. Most significantly, it includes a summary of the author's own discoveries at Cuello that have completely altered the prevailing ideas as to Maya origins." -Robert J. Sharer. "A very good summary, presentation, and synthesis of Maya archaeology ... can be used as a textbook... allows one to come to grips with Maya civilization."-R. E. W. Adams .