Lost Empires: Ancient Aztec and Maya - Softcover

Phillips, Charles; Jones, David M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1844762130 ISBN 13: 9781844762132

Publisher: Southwater, 2005

Synopsis

This superb history covers all aspects of art, architecture, politics, warfare and religion of these most fascinating ancient peoples of Mexico and Central America, ranging from their magnificent step-pyramids and colossal stone temples, and their precious gold and delicate turquoise craftwork, to the intricate carvings and paintings which are still revealing a wealth of religious and cultural information to modern archaeologists. This book unveils the lost world of the Aztec, Maya and many other peoples found by the European conquistadors - a world historians and archaeologists are only now rediscovering. In this magnificently illustrated history, America's extraordinary past is revealed, with over 275 photographs, maps and fine art illustrations of the landscape, architecture and original works of art and documents. This survey of Mesoamerican history focuses on the truth about blood sacrifice, warfare and military life, royal power and government. It follows the 3000-year-old history of the awe-inspiring cities, vast trading networks and complex religious societies of the Olmec, Toltec, Maya, Mixtec, Aztec and many other tribes and empires. Words, pictures and diagrams provide fascinating insights into these ancient civilizations' pioneering successes in astronomy and the development of calendars and mathematics.

About this title

About the Author

Charles Phillips is an established writer of popular history, a contributor to Cassell's Dictionary of Modern Britain as well as to the Chronicle of Britain and numerous illustrated histories published by Dorling Kindersley, Guinness and Marshall Editions. He has a keen interest in the mythology and history of the great Maya and Aztec civilizations and was a key writer on Time Life's Myth and Mankind series. Charles is a graduate of Oxford University, he holds an MA from the University of Westminster and he is a member of the Society of Authors. David M Jones studied Anthropology and History at the University of California, Berkeley. He obtained a PhD in the Archaeology of the Americas at the Institute of Archaeology, University of London. Dr Jones is co-author of the Blue Guide Mexico and has written many articles on Mesoamerican and South American art for the Macmillan Dictionary of Art. He is co-author of The Mythology of the Americas, published by Lorenz Books.

Edition details

• Publisher: Southwater
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1844762130
• ISBN 13: 9781844762132
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 128