Archaeology of Ancient Mexico and Central America : An Encyclopedia

This is the first comprehensive, one-volume encyclopedia in English devoted to pre-Columbian archaeology of the Mesoamerican culture area.In more than 500 articles by the major experts in the field, this work brings the most recent scholarship to an examination of regional environments and their cultural evolution. Entries range from the familiar and world-renowned archaeological discoveries of Maya and Aztec sites to more recent excavations such as the Sayil archaeological zone in the Yucatan and Teopantecuanitlan in Guerrero. A rich historical and cultural resource on one of the world's six cradles of civilization, this reference is ideal for students, scholars, and prospective travelers."An authoritative resource that supercedes the Encyclopedia of Mesoamerica...as the best encyclopedia currently available on Native American life in present-day countries of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama prior to the arrival of Spanish Conquistadors." -- American Reference Books Annual"If forced to choose only one reference source on ancient Mesoamerican culture, Archaeology of Ancient Mexico and Central America: An Encyclopedia provides the best balance of comprehensive coverage and relatively low price." -- Booklist/RBB"An impressive and extremely useful volume...The contributors are authoritative and overall this is a very useful reference source, which many will wish to use as the first port of call for any query on the archaeology or civilizations of Mexico and Central America." -- Reference Reviews"Presenting a wealth of carefully documented information on Mesoamerican archaeology, this outstanding reference work provides an excellent introductory essay and more than 500 detailed entries...[It is] well-written, and thouroughly cross-referenced...The book is particularly valuable for its coverage of cultural groups, regions, and archaeology sites overlooked by rival works. A very useful addition to academic li...

this Is The First Comprehensive, One-volume Encyclopedia In English Devoted To Pre-columbian Archaeology Of The Mesoamerican Culture Area.
in More Than 500 Articles By The Major Experts In The Field, This Work Brings The Most Recent Scholarship To An Examination Of Regional Environments And Their Cultural Evolution. Entries Range From The Familiar And World-renowned Archaeological Discoveries Of Maya And Aztec Sites To More Recent Excavations Such As The Sayil Archaeological Zone In The Yucatan And Teopantecuanitlan In Guerrero. A Rich Historical And Cultural Resource On One Of The World's Six Cradles Of Civilization, This Reference Is Ideal For Students, Scholars, And Prospective Travelers.

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this Reference Is Devoted To The Pre-columbian Archaeology Of The Mesoamerican Culture Area, One Of The Six Cradles Of Early Civilization. It Features In-depth Articles On The Major Cultural Areas Of Ancient Mexico And Central America; Coverage Of Important Sites, Including The World-renowned Discoveries As Well As Many Lesser-known Locations; Articles On Day-to-day Life Of Ancient Peoples In These Regions; And Several B&w Regional And Site Maps And Photographs. Entries Are Arranged Alphabetically And Cover Introductory Archaeological Facts (flora, Fauna, Human Growth And Development, Nonorganic Resources), Chronologies Of Various Periods (paleoindian, Archaic, Formative, Classic And Postclassic, And Colonial), Cultural Features, Maya, Regional Summaries, Research Methods And Resources, Ethnohistorical Methods And Sources, And Scholars And Research History. Edited By Archaeologists Evans And Webster, Both Of Whom Are Associated With Pennsylvania State University. Annotation C. Book News, Inc., Portland, Or (booknews.com)

This is the first comprehensive, one-volume encyclopedia in English devoted to pre-Columbian archaeology of the Mesoamerican culture area. In more than 500 articles by the major experts in the field, this work brings the most recent scholarship to an examination of regional environments and their cultural evolution. Entries range from the familiar and world-renowned archaeological discoveries of Maya and Aztec sites to more recent excavations such as the Sayil archaeological zone in the Yucatan and Teopantecuanitlan in Guerrero. A rich historical and cultural resource on one of the world's six cradles of civilization, this reference is ideal for students, scholars, and prospective travellers. Selected entries: * Aztec Culture * Cannibalism * Ceramics * Chichen Itza * Diet and Nutrition * Foods and Cuisine * Gender Roles * Hydrology * Izapa Style * Maya Deities * Maize * Michoacan * Music and Dance * Otomi Culture * Rock Art * Stela Cult * Tajin Architecture * Tenochtitlan * Tikal * Weaponry * Weaving * Yanhuitlan Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 PREFACE 8 INTRODUCTION 10 SUBJECT GUIDE 18 CONTRIBUTORS 32 A 46 B 110 C 132 D 246 E 274 F 296 G 330 H 390 I 402 J 426 K 432 L 436 M 452 N 554 O 582 P 608 Q 666 R 670 S 682 T 736 U 834 V 842 W 850 X 872 Y 880 Z 890 INDEX 900 An encyclopedia in English devoted to pre-Columbian archaeology of the Mesoamerican culture area. In more than 500 articles by the major experts in the field, it brings the scholarship to an examination of regional environments and their cultural evolution.