Maya: The Riddle and Ridiscovery of a Lost Civilization

x+235 pages with maps, plates, figures, bibliography and index. Royal octavo (9 1/4" x 6 1/4") bound in original publisher's quarter black cloth with gilt lettering to spine over brown boards in original pictorial jacket. Book club edition. The civilization of the Maya in Mexico and Central America presents one of the world's most intriguing archaeological puzzles. The Maya built great cities, temples, and palaces, developed sophisticated systems of religion and government, and possessed extensive knowledge of science and mathematics. Yet at the height of their Classic Period (around A.D. 800), all activity ceased throughout the realm -- cities were abandoned, temples were left unfinished, and a once-powerful ruling elite vanished. Condition: Corners bumped; spine ends and corners lightly rubbed. Jacket corners and spine ends chipped else very good in like jacket.