cover image The Mayas: Culture and Civilization

The Mayas: Culture and Civilization

. Konemann, $39.95 (450pp) ISBN 978-3-8290-4150-8

The history and culture of the Mayans is brought to life with dramatic color photos in Maya: Divine Kings of the Rain Forest. Edited by Nikolai Grube, a professor of anthropology and pre-Columbian studies at the University of Texas, Austin, this art book features a collection of accessible essays by scholars on all aspects of Mayan life: the rise of political dynasties; achievements in astronomy, mathematics and art; colonial era warfare; and present-day descendants. Whether describing how the Mayans made maize loafs, viewed the cosmos or used architecture to collect rainwater, the book offers a comprehensive overview of the ancient civilization.