The Maya (Eighth Edition) (Ancient Peoples and Places) [Paperback]

Michael D. Coe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 31, 2011 | ISBN-10: 0500289026 | ISBN-13: 978-0500289020 | Edition: Eighth Edition

"The gold standard of introductory books on the ancient Maya."—Expedition

The Maya has long been established as the best, most readable introduction to the New World’s greatest ancient civilization. In these pages Michael D. Coe distills a lifetime’s scholarship for the general reader and student.

The eighth edition incorporates the latest archaeological and epigraphic research. Among the finest new discoveries are the spectacular polychrome murals of Calakmul, which provide archaeological evidence for the importance of marketplaces in the Classic Maya cities as well as giving a unique glimpse into Maya daily life. Other recent finds relate to the initial peopling of the Maya area by Early Hunters and Archaic peoples.

It is clear that the birth of Maya civilization lies not in the Classic but in the Preclassic period, above all in the Mirador Basin of northern Guatemala, where the builders of gigantic ancient cities erected the world’s largest pyramid as early as 200 BC. In addition, the persistent influence of the precocious Olmec civilization of southeast Mexico on the development of complex society in the Maya area has become more apparent. These and other discoveries continue to suggest that we must rethink what we mean by the term “Classic.”

This edition concludes with new historical evidence for the crucial role played by collaborationist native leaders, both Maya and non- Maya, in the Spanish conquest of the region. 20 color and 170 black-and-white photographs and illustrations

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Because of the wealth of new archaeological data and breakthroughs in the translation of hieroglyphs, Coe's updating of his classic synthesis of Maya civilization provides a valuable service to both informed lay readers and specialists wishing to apprise themselves of the current state of understanding of this most intellectually sophisticated and aesthetically refined pre-Columbian culture. Although the vast majority of the text may be found in the prior edition, the work is transformed by significant interpolations and deletions and is augmented by a new section of color plates, a useful guide for travelers, and a listing of Maya rulers. As it now stands, this refreshed and renewed little masterpiece merits a place in collections serving students of ancient Mesoamerica. Continuing a tradition of massive exhibitions and concomitant exhibition catalogs, the Palazzo Grassi, Venice, has at last discovered the New World. This initial incursion wisely focuses on the most accessible of the great pre-Hispanic cultures, the Maya. In this daunting but unfocused potpourri, some 29 essayists broach nearly the full range of Maya historical, societal, intellectual, political, and artistic traditions with varying degrees of competence. As is common with collective efforts of this sort, one finds both a certain redundancy of elementary facts and a not infrequent inconsistency about the facts themselves. Crammed into the last hundred pages of the volume is the catalog of more than 500 well-illustrated but only perfunctorily documented and analyzed objects. Aside from its value as a remarkable gathering of some 1400 excellent color reproductions, this ill-balanced and ultimately superficial tome has little to recommend it.ARobert Cahn, Fashion Inst. of Technology, New York
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

A clear and intelligent description of the development and organization of Maya civilization. -- Natural History

[Coe] has shown an outstanding ability in selecting and organizing his material. . . . A pleasure to read. -- Antiquity --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson; Eighth Edition edition (January 31, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500289026
• ISBN-13: 978-0500289020
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 0.8 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #82,226 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > History > Ancient > Mayan
  • #60 in Books > History > Americas > Central America

More About the Author

Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at Yale University, Michael D. Coe is a specialist in the comparative study of ancient, tropical forest civilizations. Coe's books include The Maya, Mexico, The True History of Chocolate, Breaking the Maya Code, Reading the Maya Glyphs, and Angkor and the Khmer Civilization.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 79 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars scholarly but difficult to wade through January 13, 1998

By Joe the Critic

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I would recommend this book for people who are planning to visit Mayan sites such as Chichen Itza or Tikal, and would like to get a scholarly, authoritative overview of current scientific knowledge. It is not, however, a page turner. The writing style is dry, and a most of the book consists of lengthy lists and descriptions of buildings and artifacts discovered at every major Mayan site, with little analysis or discussion of what the artifacts actually signify. Those who are short of time or patience would do well to skip ahead to the last three chapters, where the author *at last* provides a discussion of Mayan culture and beliefs. This book is still a good use of time for people who want to get a scientific view of Mayan civilization, instead of the myths that the local tour guides will perpetrate. The hand-drawn maps and illustrations are especially beautifully rendered.

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars This book worked well as a college textbook on the Maya. June 29, 1999

By David K. Jordan

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

For several years I have used this edition and its three predecessors in a small, introductory college seminar on Maya archaeology. Students and I both liked it. It is sensitive to developments in all areas of Maya research and to the growing knowledge about interactions between the Maya and other ancient peoples of the region. (In this it complements Coe's companion book, MEXICO.) The sixth edition nicely takes account of recent exciting developments in deciphering Maya script, which is a useful addition, since these are headline grabbers that correspond well with what is likely to bubble over into the news media. As a balanced, archaeologically responsible, continuously updated account, with lots of maps and pictures to amplify the text, this is a really useful book.

47 of 52 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Maya archeology August 3, 2004

By T. Carlsson

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Over three quarters of this book is spent on describing cities and artifacts in a long list. This is probably what Maya specialists are interested in, but I would think that a book with this title should actually try to write the history of the Maya and not just present the archaeological evidence of it. The book finally changes to a more interesting way of presentation towards the end (long after the chapters which judging by their title should have dealt with the different time-periods in Maya history), but up to that point it's pretty tough going for someone who's interested only in a larger view of Maya history.