"Of interest to scholars and the general reader alike, The Ancient Maya: New Perspectives brings the controversies that have divided experts on the ancient Maya to a wider audience. The author examines the debates concerning Mayan hieroglyphs, the Maya economy, and the conflicting theories behind the enigmatic collapse of the Maya civilization. The most readable and accessible work in the field, this work brings the general reader up to date with the very latest archaeological evidence."--Jacket.

Part 2Maya Civilization -- Chapter 2 Location of Maya Area and Environmental Setting -- 29 -- Chapter 3 Historical and Chronological Setting -- 41 -- Chapter 4 Origins, Growth, and Decline of the Maya Civilization -- 71 -- Chapter 5 Economics -- 114 -- Chapter 6 Social Organization and Social Structure -- 150 -- Chapter 7 Politics -- 175 -- Chapter 8 Religion and Ideology -- 204 -- Chapter 9 Material Culture -- 229 -- Chapter 10 Intellectual Accomplishments -- 276 -- Part 3 Current Assessments -- Chapter 11 Major Controversies and Future Directions in the Study of the Maya Civilization -- 307.