Product Description

Michael D. Coe's Mexico has long been recognized as the most readable and authoritative introduction to the region's ancient civilizations. This companion to his best-selling The Maya has now been completely revised and expanded for the fifth edition by Professor Coe and Rex Koontz. A new chapter covers the Classic period collapse and its aftermath, including the exploration of newly discovered cities. The history of the northern frontier of ancient Mexico receives a completely new treatment, with revised accounts of shaft tombs, the turquoise trade, and ancient Mexico's relation with the peoples of the Southwest United States. The artistry of the Toltec is revealed through a recently discovered shell and turquoise warrior costume, and what we know of the enigmatic relationship between Toltec Tula and Chichén Itzá is brought up to date. New interpretations of the symbolism of Teotihuacan and information on the great Mexican capital's relationship with the Maya are included, and there is additional material on Aztec village life on the eve of the Conquest. A section on touring Mexico has been added, which will make this book even more valuable as a companion on any visit to the rich archaeological wonders of Mexico. 160 illustrations and photographs, 10 in color.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #163957 in Books
• Published on: 2002-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 248 pages

From Library Journal
Coe (anthropology, emeritus, Yale) and Koontz (art history, Univ. of Houston) have teamed to write an updated and expanded version of Coe's masterly work on Mexico's prehistory. All regions and major prehistoric civilizations of Mexico are covered with the exception of the Maya, whose geographical range extends beyond Mexico and who are examined in detail in a separate work by Coe. Information on a number of recent archaeological discoveries has been incorporated into this new edition, and a final chapter on visiting Mexico's archaeological sites has been added. The complexities of Mexico's ancient cultures are perceptively presented and interpreted. Coe and Koontz have done an excellent job of synthesizing a wealth of material and provide a comprehensive introduction to Mexico's prehistory that is both enjoyable to read and highly informative. This beautifully illustrated update belongs in the archaeology and anthropology collections of all academic libraries. Elizabeth Salt, Otterbein Coll. Lib., Westerville, OHCutler, Charles L. Tracks That Speak: The Legacy of Native American Words in North American Culture.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review
A pioneering synthesis. -- Antiquity

Compendious ...the first history that puts the subject in its full geographical and climatic context. -- The Times Literary Supplement

Fascinating reading ...an accessible, informed and extremely well illustrated introductory book. -- Popular Archaeology

About the Author
Michael D. Coe is Professor Emeritus of anthropology at Yale University. His many books include The Maya, Breaking the Maya Code, Reading the Maya Glyphs, and, with his late wife, Sophie D. Coe, The True History of Chocolate. Rex Koontz teaches art history at the University of Houston. He is senior editor of Landscape and Power in Ancient Mesoamerica and the author of articles on Ancient Mexican art, architecture, and aesthetics.