Chronicle of the Maya Kings and Queens: Deciphering The Dynasties of the Ancient Maya [Paperback]

Simon Martin (Author), Nikolai Grube (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0500287260 | ISBN-13: 978-0500287262 | Publication Date: April 28, 2008 | Edition: 2

"The ideal reference on Maya archaeology."—Science News

Behind the ancient cities of the Maya and their abandoned artworks lie the turbulent stories of their ruling dynasties. One of the world's greatest and most powerful civilizations, the Maya experienced constant conflict in a landscape divided among numerous kingdoms. Intense rivalries, rapacious conquerors, and repeated dynastic defeat and breakdown are common themes in many tales of this mighty civilization.

The ancient Maya remain one of the most vibrant areas of study in world archaeology. Fresh discoveries in the field, together with the ongoing process of hieroglyphic decipherment, mean that information is constantly coming to light. This new version of the only comprehensive, kingdom-by-kingdom history of the ancient Maya brings the story fully up to date with previously unknown rulers and new glyphic readings, as well as additional information on diplomacy and warfare. 366 illustrations, 86 in color

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Simon Martin is a Research Specialist at the University of Pennsylvania Museum. For the past fourteen years he has been doing epigraphic fieldwork at Calakmul, Mexico.

Nikolai Grube is a professor of anthropology at the University of Bonn. He has been closely associated with several archaeological projects, including Caracol, Belize, and Yaxha, Guatemala.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson; 2 edition (April 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500287260
• ISBN-13: 978-0500287262
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,160 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > History > Ancient > Mayan
  • #55 in Books > History > Americas > Central America
  • #87 in Books > History > Americas > Native American

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The New Chronicle, May 1, 2008

By 

Cheyenne Spetzler (Northern California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chronicle of the Maya Kings and Queens: Deciphering The Dynasties of the Ancient Maya (Paperback)

The First Edition Chronicle has become the standard reference text for students, professionals and enthusiasts of Maya history and epigraphy. Of course I immediately ordered the revised edition since the authors are eteemed contributors to the rapidly evolving field of Maya studies. In reading the revised edition I am re-discovering the exceptional readibility of what could be a dry, historical account.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Latest on the Rulers of the Maya Area, February 21, 2010

By 

Jacinto Quirarte - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Chronicle of the Maya Kings and Queens: Deciphering The Dynasties of the Ancient Maya (Paperback)

It's really extraordinary how epigraphers have been able to read the Maya names of the rulers (male and female) in the Maya area over the last several decades. This is a terrific summation of much of what has been done with the inscriptions over the last fifty years starting with the work of Tatiana Proskouriakoff in the early 1960s and Heinrich Berlin just before that when the first breakthroughs were made in glyphic decipherment. Others who followed are David Kelley, George Kubler, Linda Schele, and many others. Martin and Grube are the best of the younger generation in the field along with the work of their colleague David Stuart This is a wonderful presentation of the material. Too often texts are aimed at specialists and students. This book reaches them as well as a general audience. A must read for all those interested in the Maya and other groups in Mesoamerica.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Treasure Trove of Information, not to be missed, February 15, 2009

By 

Hamida "wise women of the west" (Forestville, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Chronicle of the Maya Kings and Queens: Deciphering The Dynasties of the Ancient Maya (Paperback)

I have been studying the Maya for over 30 years and it is such a delight to find a book that puts together so much information, is well-written and has so many valuable illustrations. There's a lot to absorb here and it is not light reading, but for anyone interested in the dynastic and political history of the Classic Maya, this is a treasure trove. Not to be missed.