Items related to Breaking the Maya Code (Penguin history)
Synopsis
This is the story of how the Mayan glyphs found in the ancient ruins of Copan and other Mayan sites have been deciphered within the last 20 years. Michael Coe worked with all the leading players in this field. Although the Mayan cities were discovered a century and a half ago, the field of Mayan scholarship was dominated by scholars who had a dogmatic approach to the decipherment. Both personalities and Cold War politics slowed down the process. Then in the early 50s, a Russian scholar, Knorosov, interpreted the glyphs in a new way, comprising both phonetic and conceptual ideas. Another breakthrough, deciphering the pattern of dates in the Mayan records, followed at the end of the decade. In the 70s, studies of comparative languages furthered the decipherment, and now perhaps 85% of the glyphs can be deciphered - though many mysteries remain. This is an account of the decipherment of an ancient language, which is given added impact by Coe's first-hand account of scholarly rivalries, personality clashes, and political prejudices which held back progress for so long. The book includes many illustrations of the glyphs and engravings, and two photo insets.
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Review
A great story told clearly and passionately by a great Mayanist.
As good an introduction to the world of the Maya, and of Maya scholars, as one is likely to get.
Portrays a Maya culture obsessed with warfare, dynastic rivalries, and ritual bloodletting, yet rich with masterpieces in art and architecture.
About the Author
Michael D. Coe is Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at Yale University. His books include The Maya, Mexico, Breaking the Maya Code, Angkor and the Khmer Civilization, and Reading the Maya Glyphs. He lives in New Haven, Connecticut.
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- PublisherPenguin
- Publication date1994
- ISBN 10 0140234810
- ISBN 13 9780140234817
- BindingPaperback
- LanguageEnglish
- Edition number1
- Number of pages288
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Breaking the Maya Code
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Breaking the maya code - Michael D. Coe
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Breaking the Maya Code
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Breaking the Maya Code
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Breaking the Maya Code
Published by
Penguin Books Ltd, London, 1994
ISBN 10: 0140234810
ISBN 13: 9780140234817
Used
Soft cover
Seller: Bemrose Books, Otley, United Kingdom
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Breaking the Maya Code
Published by
Penguin, London England, 1994
ISBN 10: 0140234810
ISBN 13: 9780140234817
Used
Soft cover
Seller: The London Bookworm, East Sussex, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: Good. 1st Penguin Edition. Paperback. Couple of slight creases to cover. Over twenty years ago, no one could read the hieroglyphic texts carved on the magnificent Maya temples and palaces; today, we can understand about 85 per cent of them. The pioneering discoveries of Yuri Knorosov, a brillian Russian linguist who had never set foot in the Americas, marked a decisive breakthrough. He was fiercely opposed by the red-baiting English expert, Eric Thompson, and scholars who saw the Maya as simple peace-loving stargazers incapable of inventing a phonetic writing system. Yet later researchers have transformed the inscriptions into historical docuements, revealing a culture obsessed with warfare, dynastic rivalries and ritual blood0letting. In this fascinating story of code cracking and factional fighting, the author explores the rocky road to what we know; he also provides a vivid and up-to-date picture of the Maya civilization. Illustrated. 288 pp. (We carry a wide selection of titles in The Arts, Theology, History, Politics, Social and Physical Sciences. academic and scholarly books and Modern First Editions ,and all types of Academic Literature.). Seller Inventory # 089982
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Breaking the Maya Code
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Paperback in fine condition. Minimal wear. Some yellowing. Initials + date (small) on ffep. 288 pp. Seller Inventory # 212818958
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Breaking the Maya Code.
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Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. 288 pp. figures, photographs, notes, glossary, biblio. index. Copy clean and in very good condition. #28313. Seller Inventory # 010404
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