The Art of MesoAmerica by
A guide to the art and architecture of ancient central America, from Mexico to Honduras. Discoveries from San Lorenzo, El Manati, Monte Alban, Tikal and Copan are included and the chapter on the enigamtic Olmecs - the putative mother culture of Mesoamerica - has been expanded.
Handbook of Mesoamerican Mythology by
Creation and destruction. Death and rebirth. Gods and heroes. Humanity and nature. Every human society has grappled with universal concepts through myths. What are the patterns in human mythology? How do myths differ from culture to culture? And how are they expressed through art and literature? Handbooks of World Mythology explore mythologies in depth, offering insights into the complex interaction of myth, history, and culture.Written for general readers and students, each illustrated handbook offers:
-- A lengthy overview that introduces the reader to the evolution of the culture's belief system
-- A chronology that clarifies the working and purpose of time and mythic time within the culture
-- A-to-Z entries that address major deities, characters, themes, rituals, and beliefs of the society in cultural context
-- Annotated bibliographies of introductory and scholarly publications, websites, fiction and poetry, and film
-- Glossary of cultural and mythological terms
-- Thorough subject index for fast and easy access to contentCritically acclaimed introduction of broad scope to the myths of Mesoamerica from ancient times to the present.
-- Provides overview of broad themes running through the tradition, including the interweaving of mythology and Christianity
-- Covers myths normally receiving cursory treatment in wider-reaching texts
-- Features an introduction placing mythology in social and historical context, with print/nonprint bibliography
-- Includes discussion of time and how it functions historically and in mythology
In the Maw of the Earth Monster by
As portals to the supernatural realm that creates and animates the universe, caves have always been held sacred by the peoples of Mesoamerica. From ancient times to the present, Mesoamericans have made pilgrimages to caves for ceremonies ranging from rituals of passage to petitions for rain and a plentiful harvest. So important were caves to the pre-Hispanic peoples that they are mentioned in Maya hieroglyphic writing and portrayed in the Central Mexican and Oaxacan pictorial codices. Many ancient settlements were located in proximity to caves.
This volume gathers papers from twenty prominent Mesoamerican archaeologists, linguists, and ethnographers to present a state-of-the-art survey of ritual cave use in Mesoamerica from Pre-Columbian times to the present. Organized geographically, the book examines cave use in Central Mexico, Oaxaca, and the Maya region. Some reports present detailed site studies, while others offer new theoretical understandings of cave rituals. As a whole, the collection validates cave study as the cutting edge of scientific investigation of indigenous ritual and belief. It confirms that the indigenous religious system of Mesoamerica was and still is much more terrestrially focused that has been generally appreciated.
Legends of the Plumed Serpent by
Few images hold an active claim on the imaginations of countless generations, but the Plumed Serpent, or Quetzalcoatl, has endured through 5,000 years of Mesoamerican history. Visualized as part bird and part snake and also in human form, this benevolent god remained a potent symbol of creation from the time of the ancient Olmec to the Mexican revolution. Quetzalcoatl took root ten years ago in the imagination of biographer Neil Baldwin when he toured the sites of Mexico. The result of Baldwin's research into Mexico's mythological figure is a tour through the archaeological treasures of Mexico, a biography of myth, and a cultural history.
The Oxford Encyclopedia of Mesoamerican Cultures by 
The Incas by
Six hundred years ago, in less than a century, the Inca people, located in present day Peru, forged an empire equal to that of the Greeks and Romans. They built their empire, not by military conquest but by treaties, based on providing food for all the empire's citizens. In the process, the Incas built architectural wonders for all eternity. Theirs is a history of what 7 million people can accomplish when they all work toward a common goal. Today Machu Picchu stands as a glorious reminder of this once incredible empire.
Mayan Renaissance by
"Mayan Renaissance" is a feature length film which documents the glory of the ancient Maya civilization, the Spanish conquest in 1519, five hundred years of oppression, and the courageous fight of the Maya to reclaim their voice and determine their own future, in Guatemala and throughout Central America. This elegant, beautiful, and thought provoking film will share their vision for the future, their call for a long-foretold renaissance of Maya culture and wisdom, and their 100 year plan to lead humanity forward, from the year 2012 on. The film stars 1992 Nobel Peace Laureate and Maya leader Rigoberta Menchú Tum. All of the images, voices, expert commentary and music in the film come directly from Central America, from the heart of the Mayan world."
Quest for the lost Maya by
Quest for the lost Maya follows American archaeologists George Bey and Bill Ringle and their Mexico colleague Tomás Gallareta Negrón as they find startling evidence of a forgotten Mayan society in the Yucatan: buried beneath an ancient pyramid deep in the Yucatan jungle, the team discovers a still more ancient royal palace complex.