Maya history, once thought lost when Europeans first encountered ancient ruins, has been revived through the decipherment of hieroglyphics. Historian and archaeologist David Stuart, a leading figure in this achievement, offers a vivid account of Maya civilization from their own perspective. Drawing on indigenous texts and recent archaeological discoveries, he shows the Maya experienced cycles of growth and collapse spanning three millennia.
Stuart traces the emergence of rainforest settlements that blossomed into monumental architecture and thriving urban centers during the Classic period. He highlights the grandeur of royal courts, bound by alliances, marriages, and wars, particularly between the Kaanul and Mutul dynasties. Their rivalry shaped kingdoms and contributed to the “Great Rupture” of the 9th century. Stuart is professor at UT Austin and author of The Four Heavens.
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