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Historical Atlas of Ancient America (Historical Atlas)
Historical Atlas of Ancient America - Historical Atlas Author:Norman Bancroft-Hunt, Norman Bancroft Hunt When Christopher Columbus landed on the Caribbean islands, he found tribes of people still firmly rooted in the stone age. Within decades, however, Spanish explorers had made contact with cultures in the Mesoamerican isthmus that lay beyond the Caribbean who possessed far greater technological prowess. The Historical Atlas of Ancient America des... more »cribes in vivid detail the religions, politics, economics, and agricultural systems of the wealthy and highly influential Aztec and Mayan civilizations, along with those of their predecessors, the Olmec and Toltec. Specially commissioned maps and superb full-color photographs of temples, towns, and artifacts help to bring these amazing empires to life Coverage includes:
* Introduction: Origins of Mesoamerican culture
* The Olmec: The ideal of noble birth; kings and deities; the creation of writing and calendrical systems
* The Olmec Interregnum: Huastec culture; links between landscape and architecture
* The Rise of the Maya: Tikal, the Great Pyramid; awareness of geometry; trade contacts
* The Classic Maya: Sacred architecture; jaguar thrones; Palenque, Temple of the Inscriptions
* Building Empires: City planning and urbanization
* New Beginnings: Military versus mercantile prowess; importance of the priesthood
* The Aztecs: Usurpers of an old throne; Montezuma's visions; Spanish dominance.« less