Overview

Encyclopedia of the Ancient Maya offers an A-to-Z overview of the ancient Maya culture from its inception around 3000 BC to the Spanish Conquest after AD 1600. Over two hundred entries written by more than sixty researchers explore subjects ranging from food, clothing, and shelter to the sophisticated calendar and now-deciphered Maya writing system. They bring special attention to environmental concerns and climate variation; fresh understandings of shifting power dynamics and dynasties; and the revelations from emerging field techniques (such as LiDAR remote sensing) and newly explored sites (such as La Corona, Tamchen, and Yaxnohkah). This one-volume reference is an essential companion for students studying ancient civilizations, as well as a perfect resource for those planning to visit the Maya area. Cross-referencing, topical and alphabetical lists of entries, and a comprehensive index help readers find relevant details. Suggestions for further reading conclude each entry, while sidebars profile historical figures who have shaped Maya research. Maps highlight terrain, archaeological sites, language distribution, and more; over fifty photographs complement the volume.

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9780759122840

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Reviews

Witschey and his contributors have pulled together a huge array of up-to-date research focused exclusively on the ancient Maya. They've done great work to present it all at a level suitable for students, general readers interested in the Maya past, and professionals who want a refresher about a specific topic. -- Antonia Foias, Williams College A unique and valuable resource on the ancient Maya that all university libraries should have. -- Scott R. Hutson, University of Kentucky For the large audience of people with little background in Maya prehistory and archaeology-but with a great interest in learning more-this valuable contribution will serve as a portal into the large, daunting, and complex literature dealing with this ancient civilization. Witschey and the contributors have filled a lacuna in the literature. -- Edward M. Schortman, Kenyon College Focused specifically on the Maya (rather than Mesoamerica writ large), this volume benefits from a wide array of contributors writing from their areas of special expertise. The scholarship is sound, and the tone of writing will be accessible to students and general readers looking to learn more about the Maya. It also offers a wealth of supplemental information which will serve as an excellent guide to delving deeper into particular subjects. -- Joanne Baron, University of Pennsylvania

Encyclopedia of the Ancient Maya is a goldmine of knowledge on everything Maya, including their history, culture, architecture, languages, and religion. Written by 81 authors and subject experts, it offers everything the high school and college students would need to know. If you are new to the subject, it is the best book to start with. Every high school and college library must have it. The Washington BookReview The editor of this excellent reference work hopes to acquaint the reader with information regarding the ancient Maya, their architecture and writing, and the techniques used for gathering and analyzing archaeological information. The audience for this work is high school and college students...This work provides a wealth of information on the topic of the ancient Maya, couched in terms that can be understood by the layperson. It includes information on very recent discoveries as well as those of the distant past. This is an excellent introduction to the ancient Maya, the people who study them, and the techniques used in the process. This book should be in all high school and college libraries and in appropriate special libraries. American Reference Books Annual Witschey and his contributors have pulled together a huge array of up-to-date research focused exclusively on the ancient Maya. They've done great work to present it all at a level suitable for students, general readers interested in the Maya past, and professionals who want a refresher about a specific topic. -- Antonia Foias, Williams College A unique and valuable resource on the ancient Maya that all university libraries should have. -- Scott R. Hutson, University of Kentucky For the large audience of people with little background in Maya prehistory and archaeology-but with a great interest in learning more-this valuable contribution will serve as a portal into the large, daunting, and complex literature dealing with this ancient civilization. Witschey and the contributors have filled a lacuna in the literature. -- Edward M. Schortman, Kenyon College Focused specifically on the Maya (rather than Mesoamerica writ large), this volume benefits from a wide array of contributors writing from their areas of special expertise. The scholarship is sound, and the tone of writing will be accessible to students and general readers looking to learn more about the Maya. It also offers a wealth of supplemental information which will serve as an excellent guide to delving deeper into particular subjects. -- Joanne Baron, University of Pennsylvania

Encyclopedia of the Ancient Maya is a goldmine of knowledge on everything Maya, including their history, culture, architecture, languages, and religion. Written by 81 authors and subject experts, it offers everything the high school and college students would need to know. If you are new to the subject, it is the best book to start with. Every high school and college library must have it. The Washington BookReview Witschey and his contributors have pulled together a huge array of up-to-date research focused exclusively on the ancient Maya. They've done great work to present it all at a level suitable for students, general readers interested in the Maya past, and professionals who want a refresher about a specific topic. -- Antonia Foias, Williams College A unique and valuable resource on the ancient Maya that all university libraries should have. -- Scott R. Hutson, University of Kentucky For the large audience of people with little background in Maya prehistory and archaeology-but with a great interest in learning more-this valuable contribution will serve as a portal into the large, daunting, and complex literature dealing with this ancient civilization. Witschey and the contributors have filled a lacuna in the literature. -- Edward M. Schortman, Kenyon College Focused specifically on the Maya (rather than Mesoamerica writ large), this volume benefits from a wide array of contributors writing from their areas of special expertise. The scholarship is sound, and the tone of writing will be accessible to students and general readers looking to learn more about the Maya. It also offers a wealth of supplemental information which will serve as an excellent guide to delving deeper into particular subjects. -- Joanne Baron, University of Pennsylvania

Author Information

Walter R. T. Witschey is research professor of anthropology and geography at Longwood University, past president of the Virginia Academy of Science, and director emeritus of the Science Museum of Virginia. His research interest is Maya settlement patterns and he is co-PI with Clifford T. Brown of the Electronic Atlas of Ancient Maya Sites. Brown and Witschey coauthored The Historical Dictionary of Ancient Mesoamerica.

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