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The Aztec & Maya world : everyday life, society and culture in ancient Central America and Mexico, with over 500 photographs and fine art images / Charles Phillips ; consultant, David M. Jones.

Penn Museum Library F1219.3.S6 P45 2005
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Format:
Book
Author/Creator:
Phillips, Charles, 1962-
Contributor:
Jones, David M. (David Michael), 1950-
George Clapp Vaillant Book Fund.
Language:
English
Subjects (All):
Indians of Mexico--Social life and customs.
Indians of Mexico.
Indians of Central America--Social life and customs.
Indians of Central America.
Mexico--Antiquities.
Mexico.
Antiquities.
Central America--Antiquities.
Central America.
Mexico--Civilization.
Civilization.
Central America--Civilization.
Mexico--History--To 1519.
History.
Central America--History--To 1821.
Physical Description:
256 pages : color illustrations, color maps ; 31 cm
Other Title:
Aztec and Maya world
Place of Publication:
London : Lorenz Books, 2005.
Summary:
The secrets of the past are uncovered in this authoritative social history of the ancient proples of Central America and Mexico.
Contents:
Discovering the Past 10
Wonders in the Jungle 12
Painstaking Excavations 14
Translating an Ancient Writing 16
Part 1 The Mesoamerican World 18
Timeline of Mesoamerica 20
Chapter 1 Land of Danger and Reward 22
Highland and Lowland 24
Sacred Heights 26
Life-giving Waters 28
Towering Trees, Rocky Sands 30
Life in the Wild 32
Fruits of the Earth 34
Creating a Sacred World 36
Chapter 2 From Village to Metropolis 38
The Beginnings of Settled Life 40
Urban Ceremonial Centres 42
The Rise of the Great Cities 44
The Glory of Teotihuacan 46
Power Changes Hands 48
The Collapse of Social Order 50
The Triumph of the Toltecs 52
Land Raiders 54
The Mexica Forge an Empire 56
Chapter 3 Infinite Riches 58
First Traders 60
A City of Merchants 62
Trading Over Great Distances 64
By Canoe and Paddle 66
Traders, Spies, Protectors 68
Markets Large and Small 70
The Great Market at Tlatelolco 72
A Network of Tribute 74
The Sacred Way 76
Chapter 4 The World of Work 78
Raising Crops on Land and Water 80
Garden Experts 82
Fresh from the Wild 84
Skilled in Ancient Crafts 86
Masters of the Painted Word 88
A Soldier's Life 90
In the State's Service 92
Noble Servants of the Gods 94
Chapter 5 Everyday Life 96
Life in the Home 98
The Matchmaker's Art 100
A Child is Born 102
The First Years 104
The Gift of the Maize God 106
Clothes and Hairstyles 108
Beating the Odds 110
The Beat of the Drum 112
Lyrics at the Feast 114
Chapter 6 Sacred Culture 116
The Game of the Gods 118
Cycles of Time 120
Holy World, Sacred Sky 122
The Healing Arts 124
Sacred Theatre 126
The Round of Festivals 128
The Cult of Violence 130
Reverence for Ancestors 132
Where the Ancestors Go 134
Part 2 Art and Architecture 136
Chapter 7 Palaces, Temples and Sacred Centres 138
From Huts to Temples 140
Building Styles 142
A Love of Decoration 144
Hidden Meanings in Sacred Buildings 146
The Impact of Colour and Sound 148
Arenas for a Sacred Contest 150
Palatial Style of Maya Rulers 152
The Aztec Pattern of Elegance 154
The Magnificence of Moctezuma 156
Chapter 8 Building the Cities 158
Sacred Towns: San Lorenzo and La Venta 160
City of the Zapotecs: Monte Alban 162
Capital of the Ball Game: El Tajin 163
The Place of the Gods: Teotihuacan 164
Towering Monuments: Tikal 166
Pacal's Glory: Palenque 168
City of the Jaguar Kings: Yaxchilan 170
The Elegant City: Copan 172
Pride of the Toltecs: Tollan 174
Twin Styles: Chichen Itza 175
Hill Forts: Cacaxtla, Xochicalco and Teotenango 176
Tarascan Stronghold: Tzintzuntzan 178
City of Priests: Mitla 179
Centre of the World: Tenochtitlan 180
Chapter 9 Potters and Weavers 182
Millennia of Pottery 184
Figures of Clay 186
Models from the Western Isle 188
Many-coloured Scenes of Court Life 190
Pottery for Banquets and Temples 192
Tenochtitlan's Life-size Ceramic Figures 194
Basketwork, Mats and Furniture 195
Richly Decorated Robes 196
A Gathering of Feathers 198
Chapter 10 The Carver's Art 200
The King's Head: Olmec Carving 202
From Three to Two Dimensions: The First Stelae 204
Set In Stone: The Power of Maya Kings 206
The Work of Maya Stonemasons 208
Intricate Carving in Stucco 210
Men and Gods in Stone: Aztec Carving 212
Carving in Wood 214
Chapter 11 Precious Work 216
An Imported Craft 218
Golden Ornaments 220
Work of the Goldsmiths 222
Bells and Repousse Discs 224
Faces of Gods and Kings 226
Shell and Precious Stone Decoration 228
Chipped and Carved Stones 230
Chapter 12 Images, Symbols and Words 232
The Dating of Events 234
Reference Books for Priests 236
Record of a Vanishing Culture 238
Glyphs and Images 240
Sacred Symbols 242
Scenes of Religious Life 244
The Bonampak Murals 246
Wall Paintings and Murals 248
Symbolism and Naturalism 250.
Notes:
Includes index.
Local Notes:
Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the George Clapp Vaillant Book Fund.
ISBN:
0754815757
OCLC:
60320426

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