Ancient Maya: The Rise and Fall of a Rainforest Civilization (Case Studies in Early Societies, Series Number 3) - Softcover

Demarest, Arthur

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521533902 ISBN 13: 9780521533904

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2005

Synopsis

Arthur Demarest brings the lost civilization of Maya to life by applying a holistic view to the most recently discovered archaeological evidence. His theoretical interpretation simultaneously emphasizes the brilliant rain forest adaptations of the ancient Maya and the Native American spirituality that permeated all aspects of their daily life. Drawing on data from the latest significant archaeological research in Central America, this new study appeals to those interested in the ecological bases of civilization, the function of the state and the causes of the collapse of civilizations.

About this title

Book Description

By applying a holistic view to the most recent evidence from archaeology, Arthur Demarest brings the lost civilization of Maya to life. His theoretical interpretation emphasises both the brilliant rain forest adaptations of the ancient Maya and the Native American spirituality that permeated all aspects of their daily life. Drawing on data from the largest ongoing archaeology projects in Central America, this new study will appeal to anyone interested in the ecological bases of civilization, the function of the state and the causes of the collapse of civilisations.

About the Author

Dr Demarest is the Ingram Professor of Anthropology at Vanderbilt University, Tennessee. For more than twenty-five years he has directed archaeological field excavations at ancient sites in the highlands, coasts and rain forests of Central America and is considered a leading authority on early Olmec, particularly Mayan civilization.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0521533902
• ISBN 13: 9780521533904
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 389