(NY: Thames and Hudson, 2005)

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

"The Maya has long been established as the best, most readable introduction to the New World's greatest ancient civilization. In these pages Professor Coe distills a life-time's scholarship for the general reader and student."

"Since the publication of the sixth edition of The Maya, new sites have been uncovered and further excavations in old sites have proceeded at an unprecedented pace. Among the many new discoveries is the chance find of extraordinary murals dating to ca. AD 100 at San Bartolo in the Petén. New epigraphic, archaeological, and osteological research has thrown light on the identity of the "founding fathers" of such great sites as Tikal and Copan, and their close affiliation with Teotihuacan in central Mexico. The previously little known center of Ek' Balam in northeastern Yucatan has turned out to be a regional kingdom of major importance, with extraordinary stucco reliefs and a plethora of painted inscriptions."

"It has now become apparent that the birth of Maya civilization lies not in the Classic but during the Preclassic period, above all in the Mirador Basin of Northern Guatemala, where the builders of gigantic ancient cities (interconnected by causeways) erected by the world's largest pyramid as early as 200 BC. All of these finds suggest that we must rethink what we mean by 'Classic.'"

"The seventh edition also presents new evidence for the use of wetlands by the Classic Maya, and fresh perspectives on the close of the ninth century."

"Michael D. Coe is Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at Yale University. His many other books include Mexico, The True History of Chocolate, Breaking the Maya Code, Reading the Maya Glyphs, and Angkor and the Khmer Civilization."

"As a general introduction, this seems all that is needed."
—Latin America in Books

"The rise, development, and fall of this amazing culture is explained factually and succinctly." — Library Journal

ISBN 0500285055 · 61/4" x 91/2" · 175 illustrations, 17 in color · 256 pages · HISTORY / ARCHAEOLOGY

to top of page / A-Z index

Table of Contents

to top of page / A-Z index

available online from about $16.50 (+ p/h)

this is a new 2008 text so used copies are not currently generally available
do not purchase/use the Fifth edition (2002)
Amazon.com | Barnes and Noble| ecampus.com | half.com
2008.07.03

(NY: Thames and Hudson, 2008)

• "A pioneering synthesis." -- Antiquity

• "Fascinating reading . . . an accessible, informed and extremely well illustrated introductory book." -- Popular Archaeology

"Michael D. Coe's Mexico has long been recognized as the most readable and authoritative introduction to the region's ancient civilizations. This companion to his best-selling The Maya has now been completely revised and expanded for the fifth edition by Professor Coe and Rex Koontz."

"The sixth edition includes new developments in the birth of agriculture and writing, both of which were independently invented here. Fresh insights into the metropolis of Teotihuacán reveal a world of palaces and warrior cults brought down by social revolts. A spectacular new find in the center of the Aztec capital, just unearthed, gives us a privileged glimpse into the funerary rites of the most powerful monarch in North America at the time."

"Michael D. Coe is Professor Emeritus of anthropology at Yale University. His many books include The Maya, Breaking the Maya Code, Reading the Maya Glyphs, and, with his late wife, Sophie D. Coe, The True History of Chocolate (all published by Thames & Hudson). Rex Koontz teaches art history at the University of Houston. He is senior editor of Landscape and Power in Ancient Mesoamerica and the author of articles on Ancient Mexican art, architecture, and aesthetics."

"Compendious . . . the first history that puts the subject in its full geographical and climatic context. . . . Coe has done admirably." -- The Times Literary Supplement

ISBN-10: 0500287554
ISBN-13: 978-0500287552

24.1 x 15.9 cm, 181 illustrations, 248 pages

to top of page / A-Z index

Table of Contents