Thematic Booklist and Booktalk: Beyond : Ten Books About the Maya and their Advanced Civilization By Fanny Camargo August 19, 2012

Transcription

1 The Audience LIS 763 Readers Advisory Services Thematic Booklist and Booktalk: Beyond : Ten Books About the Maya and their Advanced Civilization By Fanny Camargo August 19, 2012 As the new academic year is about to start, the Humanities, Social Science & Education Library (HSSE) is preparing book displays, pathfinders and research guides on current and popular subjects for students of these fields. I have been invited to present a book talk to a group comprised of faculty and library staff. They have requested a list of suggestions for materials on a hot subject relevant to students in the anthropology, sociology, archeology, history and Latin American Studies programs. The goal is to attract and guide students with comprehensive resources that allow them to explore subjects in detail to fulfill the goals of their courses. Since the audience consists of both faculty and library staff in an academic environment, I naturally assume that the expected suggestions need to be scholarly in nature. I also assume that the materials selected should be appropriate for any of the programs mentioned earlier. Most importantly, I assume the audience expects suggestions that link the selected subject to pertinent and current areas of study and discussion in present day. After considering prevalent trends and subjects of interest for this fall, I decided to choose the Maya and Mayan Civilization as the focus topic for this booklist. December 21, 2012 undoubtedly has become a popular theme in the past couple of years. As the so-call Mayan doomsday approaches, widespread interest, curiosity, and even anxiety increases daily among students and the general public. Why not just choose 2012 and the Mayan doomsday

2 prophecies?, some may ask. To answer that question, I must point out to the audience that a great deal of the literature on the 2012 subject is relatively fresh, often driven by the media frenzy, and sometimes fervently written, almost obsessively focusing on cataclysmic perspectives. The attached booklist and suggestions, however, concentrate on a broader picture that goes beyond 2012 prophecies to reveal much more fascinating aspects about the Maya and their extraordinary ancient civilization. This audience will probably recognize that the corpus of research and scholarly works on this subject will provide students a more critical and analytical view from anthropological, sociological, and archeological standpoints. Studying the main aspects of the Mayan civilization will not only captivate students, but will also serve as a strong basis to explore further related subjects such as the calendar and mythology, and then critically evaluate alternative claims and theories. The Maya and Mayan Civilization In his recent 2012 article Who were the Maya for Expedition, renowned archeologist and professor Robert Sharer states that the ancient Maya created one of world s most brilliant and successful civilizations (Sharer, p.12). This is undeniably a shared opinion among experts in the Humanities field who continuously acknowledge and recognize the Mayan advancements in writing, mathematical and astronomical systems. The Maya civilization spanned more than 2500 years of history in the Mesoamerican regions of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. As explained by Sharer (2012), the Maya civilization is traditionally divided into three main periods. The Pre-classic period (ca BCE to 250 CE) saw the emergence of maize agricultural communities and the rise of the first kingdoms. The classic period (ca. 250 CE to 900 CE) marks the peak of Maya civilization with great progress in architecture, art, writing, 1

3 and population size. The late and terminal subdivisions of this period overlap with the Postclassic era (ca. 900 CE to 1697 CE), comprising a period of transformation and revival interrupted by the Spanish conquest. After Spanish colonization the jungle reclaimed the ancient sites to hide ruins that would remain unknown until re-discovery in the mid 1800s. Since then, as mentioned by Grube and Martin (2008), the ancient Maya remain one of the most vibrant areas of study in world archaeology (Book description).there are so many interesting, significant and remarkable aspects about this civilization. Their development of the concept of zero, their calendar and precision in timekeeping, and their spiritual rituals and customs are just some examples of their extensive scientific and societal growth. Studying the Maya embarks students and readers on an unimaginable journey to ancient times to discover a civilization as exciting and stimulating as those in ancient Egypt, Greece, or Rome. There are reasons to pursue further study and exploration. As pointed out by Grube and Martin (2008), fresh discoveries in the field, together with the ongoing process of hieroglyphic decipherment, mean that information is constantly coming to light (Book description).additionally, and contrary to some popular belief, the Maya have not really vanished. Maya communities and their descendants still inhabit Central America today maintaining their languages, as well as old and new traditions, customs and beliefs. The Booklist The ten books presented on the booktalk and attached to this report were chosen for a variety of reasons. As mentioned earlier, one of the goals for this project is to provide comprehensive resources to explore the subject in detail. For this purpose, I focused on scholarly, authoritative, investigative, journalistic, and reputable works. Additionally, I wanted to 2

4 select enjoyable and engaging reading materials that pleasingly satisfy the curiosity of students or anyone that could come across a similar list or display on a public library. Therefore, I paid close attention to book reviews and user comments available throughout my research. When it comes to impressing potential Maya enthusiasts, there s nothing more powerful than images. The list starts with Davide Domenici s The Maya: History and Treasures of an Ancient Civilization, which will visually appeal to readers and will serve as a brief introduction to the subject. According to Amazon, Domenici is an archaeologist specializing in Mesoamerica with the following relevant experience: He has participated in excavations in Peru, Chile, and Mexico, and has headed up the Rio La Venta archaeological project in the Mexican state of Chiapas since He is currently on the faculty of Paleography and Medieval Studies at the University of Bologna. He has published a number of articles and books. (Amazon, Editorial Reviews About the Author, 2012) The next suggestion after this eye-catching illustrated volume is Robert Sharer and Loa Traxler s The Ancient Maya. This sixth edition provides a comprehensive scholarly, yet readable, in-depth introduction and examination about the civilization. These are a couple of the reviews cited by Stanford University Press (2012): "The Ancient Maya has become a standard text on the study of Mayan culture and prehistory. Colonial Latin American Historical Review "The Ancient Maya remains the best and most comprehensive single source on the prehispanic Maya. Easy to read and up-to-date, this new edition is an excellent choice for the general reader and for college classes." E. Wyllys Andrews, Middle American Research Institute, Tulane University In order to address the different characteristics of the Maya civilization, I then decided to include books covering specific well-known aspects and achievements. The aspect of mythology 3

5 and spirituality is revealed in Dennis Tedlock s Definitive Edition of the Popol Vuh. The Popol Vuh is often considered a sacred Mayan book of creation full of myths and historical records dating back to 18th century. This book has great historical importance and is crucial to the study of Mayan culture (Museo Popol Vuh, 2011). The Mayan writing system, or script, is certainly a major source of knowledge for today s explorer and researchers. The breakthroughs in Maya glyphic decipherment of the 70s are explained in detail in Michael D. Coe s Breaking the Maya Code. Coe is Professor and Curator Emeritus in the Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University (Peabody Museum of Natural History, 2011). He is a leading Maya expert and renowned researcher with numerous publications, awards, and decades of active investigation (Museo Popol Vuh, 2011).The PBS NOVA special which aired in 2008, based on Coe s Breaking the Maya Code, would make a great companion to the reading. The breakthroughs in Mayan epigraphy opened a brand new window of discovery in Maya research. Nikolai Grube and Simon Martin s Chronicle of the Maya Kings and Queens: Deciphering the Dynasties of the Ancient Maya is a great resource about Maya rulers and political aspects of ancient Maya history. Both authors are scholars closely associated with archaeological Mayan projects(amazon, Editorial Reviews About the Author, 2012). Next, we transition to technological aspects of Mayan civilization by presenting James O'Kon s The Lost Secrets of Maya Technology. From an engineering point of view, the author highlights interesting, often overlooked, technological achievements on the Maya. I chose this book because it is an informative and enjoyable read with interesting facts and details that can appeal to technology fans. Continuing with matters of science and accuracy, the next suggestion 4

6 relates to the achievements of astronomy and time recording. The Mayan calendar is an exceptional accomplishment that truly reflects Mayan proficiency. In The Order of Days: The Maya World and the Truth About 2012,David Stuart s purpose is to educate readers about the Maya s success in observation and create appreciation for the role of time in Mayan culture. This book was chosen as an authoritative alternative to current apocalyptic doomsday literature. Both, Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan by John Lloyd Stephens and The Caste War of Yucatan by Nelson Reed are readings of significant historical value because of their impact in Maya studies. As you can read in the annotations, these books have become instant classics or must-reads for anyone interested in the field. I selected these titles because the findings presented on these works became critical to the 1800s rediscovery of the ancient civilization and the understanding of post-colonial and modern issues respectively. To conclude the list, I chose Mary Jo McConahay s travel memoir Maya Roads: One Woman's Journey Among the People of the Rainforest. I included this book because it is a beautifully written and inspiring account that provides a glimpse to today s Maya life. According to Amazon, McConahay became a Central America war correspondent in the 1980s and lived in Guatemala for eleven years. Her work has been featured in Vogue, Rolling Stone, the San Francisco Chronicle, and Time(Amazon, Editorial Reviews About the Author, 2012). Research Process As you can see, the books included in this booklist are linked together on the common subject of Maya Civilization and its main qualities. They share essential elements such as 5

7 thorough investigative study and exploration. These books offer a well-informed treatment of the subject with accessible, yet descriptive language. As mentioned earlier there is a wide range of literature on the subject of the Maya. To compile this list and information, I used multiple resources such Carli s Ishare and WorldCat catalogs, Novelist Plus, Goodreads, Amazon, and Google as needed. Novelist Plus, Goodreads and Amazon were particularly useful because they provided additional valuable information such as author bios, descriptions, reviews, ratings and user comments. I started with a broad scope by searching adult non-fiction on Maya, but soon modified my search to avoid non-relevant results that included books about the Maya 3D animation and effects software, as well as works about/authored by Maya Angelou and others by the name of Maya. Ancient Maya produced more fruitful results and the read-alike features of these resources allowed me further explore the literature to select the most appropriate materials. In general, I made an effort to select recent works, except for those with historical weight. I did my best to avoid speculative, pseudo-scientific, and imaginative literature such as those often centered on 2012 prophecies. There are some books I considered, but decided to exclude. For introduction purposes, I was very inclined towards Coe s eighth edition of The Maya. This book was recently published in 2011 and includes the latest archaeological and epigraphic research. Additionally, as stated earlier, Coe is a leading expert and authority on the field. However, in lieu of presenting multiple of works by the same author, I chose Coe s Breaking the Maya Code for the booklist instead because of its successful portrayal of the ground-breaking achievements and implications of Maya script decipherment. In addition to Popol Vuh, I considered the Books of Chilam Balam to address the spiritual aspects of the ancient Maya. Both works date back to the 17th and 18th-centuries and are historically valuable because they carry 6

8 important traditional knowledge of Maya spirituality and way of life. It was a tough decision, but I decided to include only one of them to leave room for other works covering othermaya aspects. The history of the Popol Vuh, as a document, is so fascinating that I couldn t resist. Finally, I briefly considered some interesting historical fiction works that would adequately and entertainingly compliment the study of this subject. I also quickly came to the conclusion that these, instead, would make a fantastic fiction-based booktalk worth annotating separately for a leisureliness-focused audience. I hope the selected titles satisfy the requirements of course goals and that the audience finds this booklist appealing, persuasive, and engaging. 7

9 REFERENCES Amazon. (2012). Editorial Reviews, About the Author notes for Chronicle of the Maya Kings and Queens: Deciphering The Dynasties of the Ancient Maya. Retrieved August 17, 2012 from Deciphering/dp/ /ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid= &sr=1-1&keywords=Maya+Kings+and+Queens%3A+Deciphering+the+Dynasties+of+the+Anc ient Amazon. (2012). Editorial Reviews, About the Author notes for Maya Roads: One Woman's Journey Among the People of the Rainforest. Retrieved August 17, 2012 from Rainforest/dp/ /ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid= &sr=1-1&keywords=Maya+Roads%3A+One+Woman%27s+Journey+Among+the+People+of+t he+rainforest Amazon. (2012). Editorial Reviews, About the Author notes for The Maya: History and Treasures of an Ancient Civilization. Retrieved August 17, 2012 from Civilization/dp/ X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid= &sr=1-1&keywords=The+Maya%3A+History+and+Treasures+of+an+Ancient+Civilization Grube, Nikolai & Martin, Simon. (2008). Book Description, Chronicle of the Maya Kings and Queens: Deciphering the Dynasties of the Ancient Maya. London: Thames & Hudson Museo Popol Vuh. (2011). Dr. Michael D. Coe - Orden del Pop Orden del Pop. Universidad Francisco Marroquín. (Spanish).Retrieved August 17, 2012 fromhttp:// den_del_pop_2006 Museo Popol Vuh. (2011). El Popol Vuh. Universidad Francisco Marroquín. (Spanish).Retrieved August 17, 2012 from Peabody Museum of Natural History. (2011). Anthropology - Michael D. Coe. Yale University. Retrieved August 17, 2012 from Sharer, Robert. (2012). "Who Were the Maya?".Expedition 54.1: Retrieved August 17, 2012 online viaacademic Search Premier. Stanford University Press. (2012). The Ancient Maya, 6th Edition (Reviews). Retrieved August 17, 2012 from 8

10 Beyond Ten Books About the Maya and their Advanced Civilization. Domenici, Davide. The Maya: History and Treasures of an Ancient Civilization. Vercelli, Italy: White Star; 2006 In this beautifully illustrated book, archaeologist Davide Domenici takes readers on a chronological artistic journey to Mesoamerican Mayan culture. This book is a great introduction that outlines the major periods of the Maya civilization and examines its corresponding social and cultural influences. Readers will explore the main characteristics of the societies of each of these periods. Through the text and the full-color photographs the authors highlight the Maya s creative achievements in art, architecture, religious rituals, recreation, and more. This is a visually stimulating and captivating portrait featuring monumental sculptures, cities, temples, structures, and artwork that will definitely spark interest in the subject. Sharer, Robert and Traxler, Loa. The Ancient Maya. Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press, 2006 The Ancient Maya is also a great introduction and reference to the subject of the Maya Civilization. Even though this is a scholarly text, general readers will also find it very helpful and interesting when exploring the topic. It provides comprehensive and detailed information about the birth of this ancient civilization, its periods and developments, as well as description of pre- Columbian Maya life and customs. Readers can, therefore, trust this authoritative overview that also includes archaeological evidence and historical studies, as well as plenty of relevant illustrations. This is a great choice for archeology fans or even those planning a visit to the Mayan sites. Tedlock, Dennis (translator). Popol Vuh: The Definitive Edition of the Mayan Book of the Dawn of Life and the Glories of Gods and Kings. New York: Touchstone; Original edition 1996 This is perhaps one of the most significant mythology texts of Maya civilization. According to scholars, Popol Vuh translates as "Book of the Community," "Book of Counsel," or more literally as "Book of the People". This fascinating book includes mytho-historical accounts of post-classic Quiché Indians of Guatemala. It is mainly considered a Mayan book of creation, but also covers ancestry, history, and cosmology. These myths and accounts were originally written and preserved after the Spanish conquest by the 18th century Dominican friar 9

11 Francisco Ximénez. Its survival adds special interest due to the scarcity of early Mesoamerican narrative. Coe, Michael D.. Breaking the Maya Code. Thames & Hudson, 2012 Writing systems are often considered a main aspect of the development and growth of civilizations. Mayan script is a sophisticated Mesoamerican I d switch word order; makes it clearer writing system that has been relatively recently successfully deciphered. Coe s book provides remarkable insight about the history and story of the cracking of this complex code. As stated by Coe, the decipherment was "one of the most exciting intellectual adventures of our age". The implications and further discoveries derived from this achievement contributed significantly to the understanding of the Maya civilization. This book contains not only illustrations, photographs, iconographic and epigraphic investigations, but also an overview about the true global venture full of breakthroughs, debates and collaboration. Grube, Nikolai and Martin, Simon. Chronicle of the Maya Kings and Queens: Deciphering the Dynasties of the Ancient Maya. London: Thames & Hudson, 2008 A review of Mayan civilization would not be complete without considering the role of rulers of its society. The artwork and glyphs in Maya ruins still exposes a detailed story about the ruling dynasties of Mayan kingdoms. In this book, readers will be able to gain an in-depth examination of the political aspects of Maya history. The authors present a kingdom-by-kingdom portrayal describing lineage, conflicts and rivalries between kingdoms, diplomacy, warfare, and collapse. In addition to the trustworthy text, Martin and Grube incorporate useful illustrations and updated research and developments. This is a great choice for both scholars and Maya enthusiasts looking to learn more about Mayan epigraphy or hierarchy, alliances, Kings and Queens. O'Kon, James A. The Lost Secrets of Maya Technology. Pompton Plains, NJ: New Page Books, 2012 In this recently published book, O'Kon presents with an engaging approach findings about Mayan technology. Through field exploration, forensic engineering, and 3-D virtual reconstruction he describes interesting innovations of this ancient civilization that reveal their broad engineering and scientific knowledge. Some extraordinary achievements include an elegant mathematical system, amazingly accurate astronomy, incredible infrastructure of water systems, paved roads, and cities. O'Kon, a professional engineer himself, has spent decades investigating Maya 10

12 engineering and technology. Other technological examples include blast furnaces, tall multistory buildings, the vulcanization of rubber and the longest bridge in the ancient world. He concludes his work by discussing the abuse of natural resources which inevitably took a toll on their environment and may have contributed to the fall of their civilization. Stuart, David. The Order of Days: The Maya World and the Truth About New York: Harmony Books, 2011 We cannot ignore the hype regarding doomsday Mayan prophecies in today s popular culture and many will be naturally curious about the possibilities. In this work, David Stuart offers a very informative and accurate account regarding the Mayan calendar, its incredibly precision, as well as a critical analysis regarding the frenzy and calamity driven 2012doomsday prophecies. His authoritative research and thesis is based on actual Maya culture and believes and refutes fervent apocalyptic myths. He argues that the year 2012 plays no significant role in Maya scripture. Instead, he invites readers to appreciate the intellectual achievements of this civilization and recognize the value of their worldview, their concept of time, and philosophy. Stuart s purpose is to create understanding of their unique vision on time which truly set their civilization apart from any other one we may have studied until now. Stephens, John Lloyd. Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan, Vols.I and II. New York: Cosmo Classics, 2008 Originally published in 1841 this book of exploration and adventure became a best seller and introduced the ancient Maya civilization to the Western world. Illustrator Frederick Catherwood and American explorer/writer/diplomat John Lloyd Stephens traveled together to study and explore Mesoamerican sites in Central America. Their work became the catalyst for the rediscovery of Mayan civilianization. The author and artist intrigued readers about the mysteries of the Yucatan through evocative descriptions and illustrations of their visit to approximately dozens of ancient sites. Many sites were unknown then, but their detail book included such significant and accurate depictions on these and other sites that inspired future generations of explorer. Incidents of Travel in Yucatan followed in 1843 with additional details and equal success. Reed, Nelson A. The Caste War of Yucatan. Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press, 2001 Originally published in the 1960s, this book is a must-read for those interested in Maya history. Reed vividly recounts the mid-1800s Mayan revolt in the Yucatan peninsula fueled by the oppression and conflicts with white and mestizo population. Reed s 11

13 gripping narrative and compelling writing supports his anthropological research and analysis of the social and economic systems of the time. This was certainly one of the most dramatic events in post-colonial Mexican and Maya history that impacted religion, independence, and society. Regardless if you are a student or a Cancun tourist, The Caste War of Yucatan is thought provoking book that will increase your awareness of the struggles of Maya communities. McConahay, Mary Jo. Maya Roads: One Woman's Journey Among the People of the Rainforest. Chicago, Ill.: Chicago Review Press, 2011 Even though the Mayan civilization came to an end centuries ago, the Maya people and their culture is still alive and modestly persisting. In this recent travel memoir, journalist Mary Jo McConahay chronicles her experience traveling and living among the Maya of remote Central America. During her time in the rainforest, McConahay had the chance to learn more amount the people, archeology, nature, politics and ongoing struggles. The author is not only mesmerized by the beauty and mysteries of land, but she also witnesses violence and the current economic and socio-political issues of the society that surrounds them. This is a great read with adventurous and reflective observations about the daily life of today s Maya communities, their perseverance and transformation in a modern world. 12

14 Prepared by Fanny A. Camargo Dominican University August 19,