Coe's THE MAYA is firmly established as the most readable, authoritative and succinct account of the New World's greatest ancient civilization. For this new edition, the author has expanded and substantially rewritten his text in the light of the latest evidence. Field research in Belize, Yucatan and the Guatemalan highlands has led to fresh thinking on Mayan origins and the collapse of Classic Maya civilization. Thanks to advances in understanding dynastic history, scholars can now speak with confidence of independent city-states as the basis of Maya political life. And new studies of iconography and art continue to shed light of the importance of kingship, ritual bloodletting and warfare in ancient Maya society, as well as on their macabre Underworld...

With 146 illustrations, this is a beautiful, comprehensive treatment of a fascinating ancient culture and a welcome addition to any library.

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