The Pre-Columbian Maya were organized into a series of independent kingdoms or polities rather than unified into a single state. Most studies on Maya states focus on their development in the classic period, which was from around 250 to 850 C.E. However, The Origins of Maya States examines the origins and development of these states during the preceding preclassic period, which was from around 1000 B.C.E. to 250 C.E.
Understanding the origins of Maya states is challenging due to limited archaeological data and the variability of Maya states over time and space. Additionally, there is an interplay between internal development and external impacts. To address these challenges, editors Loa P. Traxler and Robert J. Sharer have brought together a collection of essays that explore various topics and regional perspectives, highlighting the role of interregional interaction in the evolution of Maya states. The essays cover material evidence for the development of Maya states, evaluation of existing models, and the proposal of new models based on recent archaeological data. The contributors also examine the development of complexity in different Maya regions during the pre-classic era, including the Pacific coast, highlands, and lowlands. They explore the economic, social, political, and ideological systems that provide a context for the origins of Maya states.
ISBN: 978-1934536865, 978-1934536087
NOTE: This sale only includes the ebook The Origins of Maya States in PDF format. It does not include any access codes.