The Ancient Maya of Mexico

Mayan culture is known for its spectacular art, impressive architecture, and sophisticated mathematical and astronomical systems, the archaeological study of which has undergone a revolution during the past twenty years. There are now more than 5,000 different Maya archaeological sites and those in Mexico's Yucatan Pensinsula are among the most visited and studied as they include the spectacular sites of Chichen Itza and Uxmal. The Ancient Maya of Mexico presents the results of these new and important archaeological, epigraphic, and art historical studies in the Mexican states of Yucatan, Campeche, and Quintana Roo to a broad audience of scholars and students. The volume consists of original and timely contributions by experts whose presentations are intended to be lively and approachable so as to be accessible and of particular use to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as to more advanced scholars. The organization of the volume is chronological (from the Middle Preclassic to colonial and modern periods), so that readers will understand how new data and interpretations have changed the whole of our understanding of Maya history.

Geoffrey E. Braswell is Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of California, San Diego.