The Lords of Tikal: Rulers of an Ancient Maya City [Hardcover]

Peter D. Harrison (Author), Peter Harrison (Author)

Book Description

Series: New Aspects of Antiquity | Publication Date: July 1, 1999

The Maya metropolis of Tikal was once one of the greatest cities in the world, its skyline dominated by huge temple-pyramids. In AD 750 over 100,000 people lived there, in the heart of the Guatemalan rainforest. But why did the city flourish? What does its history reveal about Maya civilization? And why did Tikal collapse? Drawing upon over 30 years of excavation and research, some of it his own, Peter D. Harrison provides this account of the turbulent story of Tikal over 1700 years, from 800 BC to the late-9th century AD. Strategically located, the city was a trade centre, a pioneer of architecture, and a focal point of warfare, struggling with other cities for dominance of the region. The apogee of power and wealth was achieved during the reign of the great Jaguar Claw clan, whose ruling lords built the Great Temples, some with tombs of treasures that hint at the richness of life as a lord of Tikal. The text also makes use of the breakthroughs in translating Mayan hieroglyphs.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Harrison draws upon more than 30 years of excavation and research to summarize what is known to date about Tikal. Once one of the greatest cities in the world, Tikal was strategically located in the central region of the Maya lowlands and served as a major trade center and architectural style-setter. Over 3000 known surface structures exist, and as many as 10,000 ruined buildings and platforms may lie below the surface of the site. Recent discoveries in Maya archaeology include insights into the urban nature of the society and the agricultural methods used to support such a large population (possibly 200,000). Harrison discusses breakthroughs in the translation of Maya glyphs, which continue to shed light on the history and politics of the city, and also considers reasons for its decline and fall. This book is recommended for its cogent style, treatment of recent advances in Maya studies, and fine photos and format. [History Book Club selection.]ASylvia Andrews, Indiana State Lib., Indianapoli.
-ASylvia Andrews, Indiana State Lib., Indianapolis
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Recommended for its cogent style...and fine photos. -- Library Journal --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500050945
• ISBN-13: 978-0500050941
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #593,140 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #69 in Books > History > Americas > Central America > Guatemala

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars better late than never, January 15, 2001

By 

Michael J. Cowan "Sandra Zickefoose" (Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Lords of Tikal: Rulers of an Ancient Maya City (Paperback)

I visited Tikal last Feb. I had read about it for years and still wasn't prepared for the magnitude, the scope the complexity of the civilization it was a small part of--it is a place you have to visit and see for yourself to even begin to really grasp. When I got home I found this book--I really wish I had read this BEFORE I WENT, the trip would have been better for it. In any case, I was happy to read it after the trip. This is the single best work I've found for sharing part of what I discovered at Tikal with people who haven't been there. I recommend it--especially if you are considering a visit--but also if you just like to armchair travel...It is a nice place to go either way.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Lords of Tikal, March 26, 2000

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Atheen M. Wilson "Atheen" (Mpls, MN United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Lords of Tikal: Rulers of an Ancient Maya City (Hardcover)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It does for part of the Mayan world what much of the early work by epigraphers did for that of ancient Egypt in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. The translation and interpretation of Mayan hieroglyphics is a recent phenomenon, occurring only within the last three decades. Through the efforts of dedicated researchers like Dr. Harrison, who excavated at the site of Tikal, and the late Linda Schele, who worked on Mayan hieroglyphics, a synthesis of the epigraphic material is only just beginning to reveal the story and characters of the Maya world for the enjoyment of the armchair enthusiast like myself. This work is definitely an illustration of what is likely to come from the fieldwork in the future.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Intriguing History, July 21, 2000

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Paul V Caetano - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lords of Tikal: Rulers of an Ancient Maya City (Paperback)

I very much enjoyed this book. It presented the history, archaeology and architecture of Tikal in a clear fashion. Harrison wove the various threads of evidence together skillfully without getting bogged down in details. After an introduction to the site and its environment he proceeds in a chronologic order telling the history of this ancient city. He takes two breaks in his story to describe the city's architecture. Because there is dispute in the field of epigraphy you cannot take this book as the last word, but that is the nature of writing about something which is an intense subject of research. I must also say that I found some of Harrison's assertions about architectural alignments dubious. Certainly, I could not see how his maps could support all his claims. Nevertheless, I would heartily recommend this book.