Author: George Bay
Publisher: George Bay
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 77
Book Description
The Maya civilization was a Mesoamerican civilization that flourished in Central America and southern Mexico from around 2000 BC to the 16th century AD. The Maya were one of the most advanced ancient civilizations in the Americas, and their culture has had a lasting impact on modern-day Mexico and Central America. Deep within the lush rainforests of Central America, a remarkable civilization flourished in splendid isolation for centuries. Known as the Maya, these enigmatic people built towering cities, created stunning works of art, and developed a sophisticated understanding of the cosmos. Yet, despite their incredible achievements, the Maya vanished from the stage of history, leaving behind a profound mystery that has captivated the minds of explorers, scholars, and enthusiasts alike. "The Maya: A Civilization Lost to the Ages" invites you on a mesmerizing journey through time, delving into the rich tapestry of this enigmatic society. From the majestic pyramids of Tikal to the intricate hieroglyphics adorning ancient temples, we will unravel the captivating story of a civilization that once thrived and then vanished into obscurity. The Maya are known for their impressive architecture, including monumental stone structures such as pyramids, temples, palaces, and observatories. They were also skilled astronomers who developed an advanced calendar system based on celestial observations. The Maya also developed a complex writing system that was used to record important events and communicate with other Mesoamerican cultures. The Maya had an agricultural economy based on maize (corn), beans, squash, sweet potatoes, chilies, and other crops grown in terraced fields or raised beds called chinampas. They also hunted wild game such as deer or turkey for food or traded goods with other cultures for items like jade or obsidian artifacts. In this book, we will delve into the world of the Maya, examining their intricate societal structure, complex religious beliefs, and remarkable intellectual achievements. We will explore the heights of their architectural prowess, the depths of their mathematical and astronomical knowledge, and the profound impact of their artistic expressions. Through vivid descriptions and compelling narratives, we will unveil the hidden treasures and astonishing discoveries that shed light on the mysterious fate of this extraordinary civilization. Drawing upon the latest archaeological findings, deciphered glyphs, and insights from experts in the field, "The Maya: A Civilization Lost to the Ages" serves as both a comprehensive introduction and an immersive exploration of this remarkable culture. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an intrepid explorer, or simply intrigued by the enigmas of the past, this book promises to transport you to a world shrouded in mystery, where ancient ruins whisper tales of a civilization that vanished, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and awe. So, join us on this remarkable expedition through time as we unravel the secrets of the Maya—a civilization lost to the ages. Prepare to be enthralled, enlightened, and forever changed by the grandeur and the enigma that is the Maya.
The Maya: A Civilization Lost to the Ages
Author: George Bay
Publisher: George Bay
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 77
Book Description
The Maya civilization was a Mesoamerican civilization that flourished in Central America and southern Mexico from around 2000 BC to the 16th century AD. The Maya were one of the most advanced ancient civilizations in the Americas, and their culture has had a lasting impact on modern-day Mexico and Central America. Deep within the lush rainforests of Central America, a remarkable civilization flourished in splendid isolation for centuries. Known as the Maya, these enigmatic people built towering cities, created stunning works of art, and developed a sophisticated understanding of the cosmos. Yet, despite their incredible achievements, the Maya vanished from the stage of history, leaving behind a profound mystery that has captivated the minds of explorers, scholars, and enthusiasts alike. "The Maya: A Civilization Lost to the Ages" invites you on a mesmerizing journey through time, delving into the rich tapestry of this enigmatic society. From the majestic pyramids of Tikal to the intricate hieroglyphics adorning ancient temples, we will unravel the captivating story of a civilization that once thrived and then vanished into obscurity. The Maya are known for their impressive architecture, including monumental stone structures such as pyramids, temples, palaces, and observatories. They were also skilled astronomers who developed an advanced calendar system based on celestial observations. The Maya also developed a complex writing system that was used to record important events and communicate with other Mesoamerican cultures. The Maya had an agricultural economy based on maize (corn), beans, squash, sweet potatoes, chilies, and other crops grown in terraced fields or raised beds called chinampas. They also hunted wild game such as deer or turkey for food or traded goods with other cultures for items like jade or obsidian artifacts. In this book, we will delve into the world of the Maya, examining their intricate societal structure, complex religious beliefs, and remarkable intellectual achievements. We will explore the heights of their architectural prowess, the depths of their mathematical and astronomical knowledge, and the profound impact of their artistic expressions. Through vivid descriptions and compelling narratives, we will unveil the hidden treasures and astonishing discoveries that shed light on the mysterious fate of this extraordinary civilization. Drawing upon the latest archaeological findings, deciphered glyphs, and insights from experts in the field, "The Maya: A Civilization Lost to the Ages" serves as both a comprehensive introduction and an immersive exploration of this remarkable culture. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an intrepid explorer, or simply intrigued by the enigmas of the past, this book promises to transport you to a world shrouded in mystery, where ancient ruins whisper tales of a civilization that vanished, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and awe. So, join us on this remarkable expedition through time as we unravel the secrets of the Maya—a civilization lost to the ages. Prepare to be enthralled, enlightened, and forever changed by the grandeur and the enigma that is the Maya.
Publisher: George Bay
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 77
Book Description
The Maya civilization was a Mesoamerican civilization that flourished in Central America and southern Mexico from around 2000 BC to the 16th century AD. The Maya were one of the most advanced ancient civilizations in the Americas, and their culture has had a lasting impact on modern-day Mexico and Central America. Deep within the lush rainforests of Central America, a remarkable civilization flourished in splendid isolation for centuries. Known as the Maya, these enigmatic people built towering cities, created stunning works of art, and developed a sophisticated understanding of the cosmos. Yet, despite their incredible achievements, the Maya vanished from the stage of history, leaving behind a profound mystery that has captivated the minds of explorers, scholars, and enthusiasts alike. "The Maya: A Civilization Lost to the Ages" invites you on a mesmerizing journey through time, delving into the rich tapestry of this enigmatic society. From the majestic pyramids of Tikal to the intricate hieroglyphics adorning ancient temples, we will unravel the captivating story of a civilization that once thrived and then vanished into obscurity. The Maya are known for their impressive architecture, including monumental stone structures such as pyramids, temples, palaces, and observatories. They were also skilled astronomers who developed an advanced calendar system based on celestial observations. The Maya also developed a complex writing system that was used to record important events and communicate with other Mesoamerican cultures. The Maya had an agricultural economy based on maize (corn), beans, squash, sweet potatoes, chilies, and other crops grown in terraced fields or raised beds called chinampas. They also hunted wild game such as deer or turkey for food or traded goods with other cultures for items like jade or obsidian artifacts. In this book, we will delve into the world of the Maya, examining their intricate societal structure, complex religious beliefs, and remarkable intellectual achievements. We will explore the heights of their architectural prowess, the depths of their mathematical and astronomical knowledge, and the profound impact of their artistic expressions. Through vivid descriptions and compelling narratives, we will unveil the hidden treasures and astonishing discoveries that shed light on the mysterious fate of this extraordinary civilization. Drawing upon the latest archaeological findings, deciphered glyphs, and insights from experts in the field, "The Maya: A Civilization Lost to the Ages" serves as both a comprehensive introduction and an immersive exploration of this remarkable culture. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an intrepid explorer, or simply intrigued by the enigmas of the past, this book promises to transport you to a world shrouded in mystery, where ancient ruins whisper tales of a civilization that vanished, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and awe. So, join us on this remarkable expedition through time as we unravel the secrets of the Maya—a civilization lost to the ages. Prepare to be enthralled, enlightened, and forever changed by the grandeur and the enigma that is the Maya.
The Lost Secrets of Maya Technology
Author: James A. O'Kon
Publisher: Career Press
ISBN: 9781601632074
Category : Discoveries in science
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
The Maya have been an enigma since their discovery in the mid- 19th century. Maya science developed an elegant mathematic system, an incredibly accurate astronomy, and one of the world's five original written languages. This technology was more advanced than similar European technology by more than a thousand years. In this book, you'll see how James O'Kon, a professional engineer, synergistically applied field exploration, research, forensic engineering, and 3-D virtual reconstruction of Maya projects to discover lost Maya technological achievements. These lost principles of technology enabled Maya engineers to construct grand cities that towered above the rainforest, water systems with underground reservoirs for water storage, miles of all-weather paved roads tracking through the jungle, and the longest bridge in the ancient world. Maya engineers developed structural mechanics for multi-story buildings that were not exceeded in height until the first "skyscraper" built in Chicago in 1885, invented the blast furnace 2,000 years before it was patented in England, and developed the vulcanization of rubber more than 2,600 years before Charles Goodyear. Discover a host of unknown wonders in The Lost Secrets of Maya Technology.
Publisher: Career Press
ISBN: 9781601632074
Category : Discoveries in science
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
The Maya have been an enigma since their discovery in the mid- 19th century. Maya science developed an elegant mathematic system, an incredibly accurate astronomy, and one of the world's five original written languages. This technology was more advanced than similar European technology by more than a thousand years. In this book, you'll see how James O'Kon, a professional engineer, synergistically applied field exploration, research, forensic engineering, and 3-D virtual reconstruction of Maya projects to discover lost Maya technological achievements. These lost principles of technology enabled Maya engineers to construct grand cities that towered above the rainforest, water systems with underground reservoirs for water storage, miles of all-weather paved roads tracking through the jungle, and the longest bridge in the ancient world. Maya engineers developed structural mechanics for multi-story buildings that were not exceeded in height until the first "skyscraper" built in Chicago in 1885, invented the blast furnace 2,000 years before it was patented in England, and developed the vulcanization of rubber more than 2,600 years before Charles Goodyear. Discover a host of unknown wonders in The Lost Secrets of Maya Technology.
Maya Civilization
Author: Hourly History
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781656510044
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 50
Book Description
Discover the remarkable history of the Maya Civilization...For more than one thousand years, the Maya people dominated areas of Central America and modern-day Mexico and made important advances in architecture, astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. Then, after the Spanish occupation in the sixteenth century, Maya culture and thinking were deliberately suppressed. Only in the twentieth century did scientists appreciate just how advanced these people had been and how important they were in the history of Mesoamerica. The excavation and investigation of several large Maya cities in the second half of the twentieth century completely changed how we view these people. We now know that the Maya were capable of building vary large stone structures that were precisely aligned with astronomical features, though we do not know how this was done. We are still learning about Maya cities-as recently as 2018, the use of new technology uncovered more than 60,000 previously undiscovered Maya ruins in the jungles of Guatemala. Many scholars now believe that the Maya were one of the most important of all the ancient Mesoamerican cultures. There are still many mysteries about the Maya. At one point in their history, several major Maya cities were abandoned and left to the encroaching jungle while their people relocated to more inhospitable areas in the Yucatán. There are many theories, but no one is entirely certain why this happened. We also don't know why the Maya made important advances in the fields of mathematics and medicine and yet failed to develop, for example, the wheel or metalworking.What we do know is that these people created a sophisticated culture which they recorded via one of the first complex writing systems. Unlike other contemporary Mesoamerican peoples, the Maya survived the Spanish occupation, and Maya language, religion, and culture continue to survive today in parts of Central America and Mexico. This is the story of the mysterious and frequently misunderstood Maya civilization. Discover a plethora of topics such as Origins Maya Religion and Medicine The Classic Period Weapons and Warfare The Spanish Conquest Maya Writing And much more! So if you want a concise and informative book on the Maya Civilization, simply scroll up and click the "Buy now" button for instant access!
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781656510044
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 50
Book Description
Discover the remarkable history of the Maya Civilization...For more than one thousand years, the Maya people dominated areas of Central America and modern-day Mexico and made important advances in architecture, astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. Then, after the Spanish occupation in the sixteenth century, Maya culture and thinking were deliberately suppressed. Only in the twentieth century did scientists appreciate just how advanced these people had been and how important they were in the history of Mesoamerica. The excavation and investigation of several large Maya cities in the second half of the twentieth century completely changed how we view these people. We now know that the Maya were capable of building vary large stone structures that were precisely aligned with astronomical features, though we do not know how this was done. We are still learning about Maya cities-as recently as 2018, the use of new technology uncovered more than 60,000 previously undiscovered Maya ruins in the jungles of Guatemala. Many scholars now believe that the Maya were one of the most important of all the ancient Mesoamerican cultures. There are still many mysteries about the Maya. At one point in their history, several major Maya cities were abandoned and left to the encroaching jungle while their people relocated to more inhospitable areas in the Yucatán. There are many theories, but no one is entirely certain why this happened. We also don't know why the Maya made important advances in the fields of mathematics and medicine and yet failed to develop, for example, the wheel or metalworking.What we do know is that these people created a sophisticated culture which they recorded via one of the first complex writing systems. Unlike other contemporary Mesoamerican peoples, the Maya survived the Spanish occupation, and Maya language, religion, and culture continue to survive today in parts of Central America and Mexico. This is the story of the mysterious and frequently misunderstood Maya civilization. Discover a plethora of topics such as Origins Maya Religion and Medicine The Classic Period Weapons and Warfare The Spanish Conquest Maya Writing And much more! So if you want a concise and informative book on the Maya Civilization, simply scroll up and click the "Buy now" button for instant access!
Your Travel Guide to the Ancient Mayan Civilization
Author: Nancy Day
Publisher: Twenty-First Century Books
ISBN: 9780822530770
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 102
Book Description
Takes readers on a journey back in time in order to experience life during the Maya civilization, describing clothing, accommodations, foods, local customs, transportation, a few notable personalities, and more.
Publisher: Twenty-First Century Books
ISBN: 9780822530770
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 102
Book Description
Takes readers on a journey back in time in order to experience life during the Maya civilization, describing clothing, accommodations, foods, local customs, transportation, a few notable personalities, and more.
Lost Science and Technology of the Mayan Civilization
Author: NORAH ROMNEY
Publisher: DTTV PUBLICATIONS
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 140
Book Description
The Mayan civilization is one of the most fascinating cultures of all time. They flourished in Mesoamerica from around 300 BC to 900 AD, and their cities were more complex than any others at the time. The Maya built roads, developed an accurate measurement system for distances, and built enormous stone temples that served as centers of worship, astronomy, and astrology. They also had a well-developed written language, which they used to record their history and communicate important messages. This post will explore some of their most significant discoveries that have shaped our world today! The Mayan culture flourished in the Mesoamerican region from around 300 BC. The society was known for its unique and advanced knowledge of architecture, astronomy, calendar-making, and mathematics. The Mayans were one of the first civilizations in the Americas to develop a written language, and they had an extensive knowledge of astronomy, which they used to predict eclipses. Mayans lived in Mexico and Central America, especially on the Yucatan Peninsula, where they built sophisticated cities with pyramids and temples made of stone, such as Chichén Itzá or Uxmal. They also built many buildings with flat roofs named patios where people would come together to worship their gods while they watched dances performed by priests dressed in colorful costumes made from jaguar skins. The Maya had a well-developed written language. The Mayan writing system was developed before the invention of the wheel and is one of the oldest in existence. It was first used to record history, astronomy, and astrology but later became a way for people to communicate with each other. The Mayans turned out to be better mathematicians than we thought they were. Their calendar could easily track lunar cycles, solstices, and equinoxes without error; it also predicted eclipses with great accuracy.
Publisher: DTTV PUBLICATIONS
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 140
Book Description
The Mayan civilization is one of the most fascinating cultures of all time. They flourished in Mesoamerica from around 300 BC to 900 AD, and their cities were more complex than any others at the time. The Maya built roads, developed an accurate measurement system for distances, and built enormous stone temples that served as centers of worship, astronomy, and astrology. They also had a well-developed written language, which they used to record their history and communicate important messages. This post will explore some of their most significant discoveries that have shaped our world today! The Mayan culture flourished in the Mesoamerican region from around 300 BC. The society was known for its unique and advanced knowledge of architecture, astronomy, calendar-making, and mathematics. The Mayans were one of the first civilizations in the Americas to develop a written language, and they had an extensive knowledge of astronomy, which they used to predict eclipses. Mayans lived in Mexico and Central America, especially on the Yucatan Peninsula, where they built sophisticated cities with pyramids and temples made of stone, such as Chichén Itzá or Uxmal. They also built many buildings with flat roofs named patios where people would come together to worship their gods while they watched dances performed by priests dressed in colorful costumes made from jaguar skins. The Maya had a well-developed written language. The Mayan writing system was developed before the invention of the wheel and is one of the oldest in existence. It was first used to record history, astronomy, and astrology but later became a way for people to communicate with each other. The Mayans turned out to be better mathematicians than we thought they were. Their calendar could easily track lunar cycles, solstices, and equinoxes without error; it also predicted eclipses with great accuracy.
Popol Vuh
Author:
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 0684818450
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 388
Book Description
One of the most extraordinary works of the human imagination and the most important text in the native languages of the Americas, Popul Vuh: The Mayan Book of the Dawn of Life was first made accessible to the public 10 years ago. This new edition retains the quality of the original translation, has been enriched, and includes 20 new illustrations, maps, drawings, and photos.
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 0684818450
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 388
Book Description
One of the most extraordinary works of the human imagination and the most important text in the native languages of the Americas, Popul Vuh: The Mayan Book of the Dawn of Life was first made accessible to the public 10 years ago. This new edition retains the quality of the original translation, has been enriched, and includes 20 new illustrations, maps, drawings, and photos.
Life Among the Maya
Author: Chris Eboch
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781590181621
Category : Mayas
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Discusses the history, social life, customs, and future of the Mayan people.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781590181621
Category : Mayas
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Discusses the history, social life, customs, and future of the Mayan people.
Understanding Collapse
Author: Guy D. Middleton
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 110715149X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 463
Book Description
In this lively survey, Guy D. Middleton critically examines our ideas about collapse - how we explain it and how we have constructed potentially misleading myths around collapses - showing how and why collapse of societies was a much more complex phenomenon than is often admitted.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 110715149X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 463
Book Description
In this lively survey, Guy D. Middleton critically examines our ideas about collapse - how we explain it and how we have constructed potentially misleading myths around collapses - showing how and why collapse of societies was a much more complex phenomenon than is often admitted.
Royal Cities of the Ancient Maya
Author:
Publisher: Vendome Press
ISBN: 9780865652842
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Traces the rise and fall of Maya civilization through its great royal cities, from El Mirador, the largest and oldest, to the rival city-states of the Classical period such as Tikal, Calakmul, Yaxchilán, Palenque, Toniná, and Copán. He then moves on to the great cities of the Terminal Classic period; at a time when the mighty centers of the southern lowlands were in a steep decline, cities to the north such as Uxmal and Kabah achieved a pinnacle of architectural beauty. After that he turns to the Postclassic period and Chichén Itzá in central Yucatán, a huge, cosmopolitan city that flourished during a military and cultural takeover by the Toltecs of central Mexico.
Publisher: Vendome Press
ISBN: 9780865652842
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Traces the rise and fall of Maya civilization through its great royal cities, from El Mirador, the largest and oldest, to the rival city-states of the Classical period such as Tikal, Calakmul, Yaxchilán, Palenque, Toniná, and Copán. He then moves on to the great cities of the Terminal Classic period; at a time when the mighty centers of the southern lowlands were in a steep decline, cities to the north such as Uxmal and Kabah achieved a pinnacle of architectural beauty. After that he turns to the Postclassic period and Chichén Itzá in central Yucatán, a huge, cosmopolitan city that flourished during a military and cultural takeover by the Toltecs of central Mexico.
Jungle of Stone
Author: William Carlsen
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 0062407422
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 349
Book Description
The acclaimed chronicle of the discovery of the legendary lost civilization of the Maya. Includes the history of the major Maya sites, including Palenque, Uxmal, Chichen Itza, Tuloom, Copan, and more. NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Illustrated with a map and more than 100 images. In 1839, rumors of extraordinary yet baffling stone ruins buried within the unmapped jungles of Central America reached two of the world’s most intrepid travelers. Seized by the reports, American diplomat John Lloyd Stephens and British artist Frederick Catherwood—both already celebrated for their adventures in Egypt, the Holy Land, Greece, and Rome—sailed together out of New York Harbor on an expedition into the forbidding rainforests of present-day Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico. What they found would upend the West’s understanding of human history. In the tradition of Lost City of Z and In the Kingdom of Ice, former San Francisco Chronicle journalist and Pulitzer Prize finalist William Carlsen reveals the remarkable story of the discovery of the ancient Maya. Enduring disease, war, and the torments of nature and terrain, Stephens and Catherwood meticulously uncovered and documented the remains of an astonishing civilization that had flourished in the Americas at the same time as classic Greece and Rome—and had been its rival in art, architecture, and power. Their masterful book about the experience, written by Stephens and illustrated by Catherwood, became a sensation, hailed by Edgar Allan Poe as “perhaps the most interesting book of travel ever published” and recognized today as the birth of American archaeology. Most important, Stephens and Catherwood were the first to grasp the significance of the Maya remains, understanding that their antiquity and sophistication overturned the West’s assumptions about the development of civilization. By the time of the flowering of classical Greece (400 b.c.), the Maya were already constructing pyramids and temples around central plazas. Within a few hundred years the structures took on a monumental scale that required millions of man-hours of labor, and technical and organizational expertise. Over the next millennium, dozens of city-states evolved, each governed by powerful lords, some with populations larger than any city in Europe at the time, and connected by road-like causeways of crushed stone. The Maya developed a cohesive, unified cosmology, an array of common gods, a creation story, and a shared artistic and architectural vision. They created stucco and stone monuments and bas reliefs, sculpting figures and hieroglyphs with refined artistic skill. At their peak, an estimated ten million people occupied the Maya’s heartland on the Yucatan Peninsula, a region where only half a million now live. And yet by the time the Spanish reached the “New World,” the Maya had all but disappeared; they would remain a mystery for the next three hundred years. Today, the tables are turned: the Maya are justly famous, if sometimes misunderstood, while Stephens and Catherwood have been nearly forgotten. Based on Carlsen’s rigorous research and his own 1,500-mile journey throughout the Yucatan and Central America, Jungle of Stone is equally a thrilling adventure narrative and a revelatory work of history that corrects our understanding of Stephens, Catherwood, and the Maya themselves.
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 0062407422
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 349
Book Description
The acclaimed chronicle of the discovery of the legendary lost civilization of the Maya. Includes the history of the major Maya sites, including Palenque, Uxmal, Chichen Itza, Tuloom, Copan, and more. NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Illustrated with a map and more than 100 images. In 1839, rumors of extraordinary yet baffling stone ruins buried within the unmapped jungles of Central America reached two of the world’s most intrepid travelers. Seized by the reports, American diplomat John Lloyd Stephens and British artist Frederick Catherwood—both already celebrated for their adventures in Egypt, the Holy Land, Greece, and Rome—sailed together out of New York Harbor on an expedition into the forbidding rainforests of present-day Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico. What they found would upend the West’s understanding of human history. In the tradition of Lost City of Z and In the Kingdom of Ice, former San Francisco Chronicle journalist and Pulitzer Prize finalist William Carlsen reveals the remarkable story of the discovery of the ancient Maya. Enduring disease, war, and the torments of nature and terrain, Stephens and Catherwood meticulously uncovered and documented the remains of an astonishing civilization that had flourished in the Americas at the same time as classic Greece and Rome—and had been its rival in art, architecture, and power. Their masterful book about the experience, written by Stephens and illustrated by Catherwood, became a sensation, hailed by Edgar Allan Poe as “perhaps the most interesting book of travel ever published” and recognized today as the birth of American archaeology. Most important, Stephens and Catherwood were the first to grasp the significance of the Maya remains, understanding that their antiquity and sophistication overturned the West’s assumptions about the development of civilization. By the time of the flowering of classical Greece (400 b.c.), the Maya were already constructing pyramids and temples around central plazas. Within a few hundred years the structures took on a monumental scale that required millions of man-hours of labor, and technical and organizational expertise. Over the next millennium, dozens of city-states evolved, each governed by powerful lords, some with populations larger than any city in Europe at the time, and connected by road-like causeways of crushed stone. The Maya developed a cohesive, unified cosmology, an array of common gods, a creation story, and a shared artistic and architectural vision. They created stucco and stone monuments and bas reliefs, sculpting figures and hieroglyphs with refined artistic skill. At their peak, an estimated ten million people occupied the Maya’s heartland on the Yucatan Peninsula, a region where only half a million now live. And yet by the time the Spanish reached the “New World,” the Maya had all but disappeared; they would remain a mystery for the next three hundred years. Today, the tables are turned: the Maya are justly famous, if sometimes misunderstood, while Stephens and Catherwood have been nearly forgotten. Based on Carlsen’s rigorous research and his own 1,500-mile journey throughout the Yucatan and Central America, Jungle of Stone is equally a thrilling adventure narrative and a revelatory work of history that corrects our understanding of Stephens, Catherwood, and the Maya themselves.