Secrets of the Maya

From the discovery of ancient caves used for religious rituals - including human sacrifice - to the search for the legendary "Site Q," Secrets of the Maya takes readers on an exciting and surprising archaeological journey. The Maya were long thought to be devout, peace-loving peasants guided by gentle priest-kings, but recent finds have exposed a complex, sophisticated urban society ruled by egomaniacal kings who waged war incessantly and turned powerful kingdoms into vast empires. Human sacrifice was common, yet the Maya built beautiful temples and monuments, developed elaborate trading relationships, discovered new agricultural techniques, made brilliant astronomical observations, and created the only system of writing native to the Americas. Deep in the rain forests of Central America, the Maya culture thrived for almost 4,000 years. From the earliest Maya farmers in 2600 B.C. through the fifteenth century A.D., the Maya developed an elaborate society. Although many of the intricacies of Maya culture remain shrouded in mystery, hundreds of new discoveries have come to light in recent years. Now, the most fascinating discoveries have been compiled by the editors of Archaeology in this compelling book. Today, Maya ruins attract throngs of tourists. Roads are being opened to previously inaccessible sites. Governments are enacting and enforcing laws to stop looting and protect valuable artifacts. New discoveries are being made almost every day. With each new revelation, people around the world are enthralled by the majesty, spirituality and art of this ancient civilization.. Featuring a special section on Mayan hieroglyphs, a comprehensive timeline, articles on the latest research and beautiful photographs, Secrets of the Maya will appeal to experts and amateurs alike. Book jacket.Young, Peter A. is the author of 'Secrets of the Maya' with ISBN 9781578261239 and ISBN 1578261236.