Pre-Columbian Cities

xxxvi+602 pages with maps, figures, plates, bibliography and index. Quarto (10 1/4" x 7 1/4") bound in original publisher's reddish brown cloth with black lettering to spine in original pictorial jacket. Translated by Judith Thorne. First edition.
Because Aztec Tenochtitlan, today Mexico City, and Inca Cuzco represent the culmination of two most advanced civilizations encounter by the Spanish conquistadors, the author explores these cities from end-to-end. He also studies each older civic ceremonial centers as Teotihuacan, Tula, Monte Alban, Uxmal, Chichen Itza, Tikal, Palenque, Tiahuanaco, Chan Chan, Pachacamac, Machu Picchu, and lesser known sites, most virtually - if not totally - abandoned centuries before the conquest. Such inclusive coverage makes for a lively discussion of some fifteen hundred years of urban life as immortalized in the architecture, art and crafts of long vanished civilizations. There is an extensive bibliography, photographs, maps, charts and city plans showing urban layouts of temples, palaces, markets and houses, which tell much about the life of the inhabitants.
Condition:
Corners gently bumped and rubbed, spine ends lightly rubbed, previous owner's name on title page, jacket spine ends and corners chipped, spine ends closed tears with creases, fold over flap creased else a very good copy in like jacket.