A fascinating history of the Maya - drawing on a wealth of recent archaeological discoveries - whose civilisation in the jungles of Central America was for almost a thousand years hidden from the world.

Over the last two centuries explorers have made the most remarkable discoveries in the tropical forests of Central America. Across much of present-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras dozens of cities - some with populations of well over 100,000 - have been unveiled, and every year fresh reports emerge of the findings of unknown Maya ruins - great temples, palaces, towering stone pyramids and the tombs of the Maya kings.

What these spectacular discoveries indicate is the former presence of an exceptionally advanced, sophisticated and complex society. Recently, major developments made in the decipherment of Maya hieroglyphics have revealed that alongside the material achievements of the Maya ran intellectual accomplishments in astronomy, maths and calendrics, seemingly tied to the complexities of Maya religion, that were remarkable for a society technically in the Stone Age. From reliefs on temple walls, from magnificent hieroglyphic stairways and from stone stelae planted by Maya rulers in the plazas of their cities has come written history: the Chronicles of the Maya Kings.

David Drew looks at why they constructed their cities in the hostile setting of the jungle, the exact age of their ruins, the strange human images depicted in elaborate costume at so many Maya sites, and he asks why at the time of the Spanish conquest, all knowledge of the Mayas had been lost.

A fascinating history of the Maya - drawing on a wealth of recent archaeological discoveries - whose civilisation in the jungles of Central America was for almost a thousand years hidden from the world.

About the Author
David Drew writes and presents television documentaries (including series such as Chronicles, Footsteps and Timewatch). He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Royal Anthropological Institute. This is his first book.

Reviews
David Drew's superb overview of the Mayan civilisation of South and Cetral America is a recommended read for anyone interested in ancient civilisations... As intriguing as its subject, Drew's book is hugely enjoyable. * HAM & HIGH *



Book Information
ISBN 9780753809891
Author David Drew
Format Paperback
Page Count 464
Imprint Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Publisher Orion Publishing Co
Weight(grams) 360g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 128mm * 30mm