Harrison draws upon more than 30 years of excavation and research to summarize what is known to date about Tikal. Once one of the greatest cities in the world, Tikal was strategically located in the central region of the Maya lowlands and served as a major trade center and architectural style-setter. Over 3000 known surface structures exist, and as many as 10,000 ruined buildings and platforms may lie below the surface of the site. Recent discoveries in Maya archaeology include insights into the urban nature of the society and the agricultural methods used to support such a large population (possibly 200,000).

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Product Description

The ancient Maya capital of Tikal is located in the heartland of the Guatemalan rain forest. Occupied from about 800 b.c. to a.d. 800, it had at its peak a population of more than 100,000. Because of its strategic location, Tikal served as a center of trade and as an architectural style-setter for the central Peten region of the Maya Lowlands. The apogee of power and wealth was achieved under the reigns of three generations of the great Jaguar Claw clan, whose ruling lords--known as Hasaw Chan K'awil, Yik'in Chan K'awil, and Yax Ain--built the Great Temples that symbolize the character and individuality of the city. Some of these Great Temples served as mortuary structures, and the contents of the tombs hint at the richness of life as a lord of Tikal. Drawing upon more than twenty years of excavation and recent breakthroughs in the translation of Maya hieroglyphs, Peter Harrison offers a cogent, detailed summary of what is known to date of this romantic, mysterious city and its rulers.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1116413 in Books
• Published on: 1999-07-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 208 pages

From Library Journal
Harrison draws upon more than 30 years of excavation and research to summarize what is known to date about Tikal. Once one of the greatest cities in the world, Tikal was strategically located in the central region of the Maya lowlands and served as a major trade center and architectural style-setter. Over 3000 known surface structures exist, and as many as 10,000 ruined buildings and platforms may lie below the surface of the site. Recent discoveries in Maya archaeology include insights into the urban nature of the society and the agricultural methods used to support such a large population (possibly 200,000). Harrison discusses breakthroughs in the translation of Maya glyphs, which continue to shed light on the history and politics of the city, and also considers reasons for its decline and fall. This book is recommended for its cogent style, treatment of recent advances in Maya studies, and fine photos and format. [History Book Club selection.]ASylvia Andrews, Indiana State Lib., Indianapoli.
-ASylvia Andrews, Indiana State Lib., Indianapolis
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
Recommended for its cogent style...and fine photos. -- Library Journal

From the Author
Once a Lost City, Tikal was a New World capital. Like Ur of the Chaldees, and Thebes of Egypt, Tikal was a great city that dominated a large portion of the Maya Lowlands. It was the center of warfare, palace intrigues, and a magnificent royal court. This volume is the result of decades of excavation by archaeologists and epigraphers who suffered their blood, sweat and tears to research the history of this great New World capital. The results revealed the blood, sweat and tears of ancient kings and their story is told here. I suffered the adventure of fieldwork and loved the telling of the story. Peter D. Harrison (PeterAhau@AOL.com), September 16, 1999.

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Customer Reviews

the fellow in that scary demonic looking costume on page 116?a mummer turned to the darkside or just on the way to a mardi
I had a problem at first when the author stated that the population of Tikal was 100,000 and covered 65 sq. miles. Over its period of reign as a city,a couple hundred years,Tikal might have been this extensive but i question if it had this much influence at any specific time period of say 10 years.Other books say that this city at its peak served about 20,000 and its urban spread reflects different time periods.
Other than that,myself possibly missing the author's interpretation,I like the descriptions of this Mayan city,which according to the author,was either founded by Teotihuacan rulers or at least was heavily influenced by this Mexican town.Excellent color photos and well described info on the tombs of the Tikal Lords. I hadn't realized before that alot of the Maya superstructures at Tikal were actually tomb bases for high status rulers which were then built to reach the sky.Indeed alot of these temples were built for astronomy purposes as well and tied into Mayan ceremonial life.It sounds alot like Ancient Egypt and their vast tomb complexes.There was one drawing in particular which showed Tikal at its peak,complete with evidence of pronounced forest defoiliation,(a possible reason for its collapse)?
Ther was another chapter where the author explored the conflicts between Tikal and its neighboring rival cities.Mr. Harrison explains that rivalries between towns,while undoubtedly real,have been exaggerated and there were longer periods of cooperation and friendly commerce between Tikal and its rival cities.So it would not be worth too much to place stock in the "bound captive murals" and advertised cruelty in alot of Mayan art.It's probably just propoganda put out by the Tikal Lords,no different than the Anglo-Saxon rulers of England at the same time period,(about 750 AD).Some of the Mayan lords of Tikal had long reigns,one reigned as long as 60 years,which would have rivalled Elizabeth I lengthy tenure as Queen of England.

A classic for the Classic Maya.
The pyramids at Tikal are perhaps the most breathtaking and awe-inspiring structures of the pre-Hispanic world. The research available in this book helps shed light on the fascinating history behind the facades of limestone. There is so much history and culture that is essential to the American (the Pan American) identity. And this is a clear, concise, enjoyable read to learn about it.

Very good read on the entire span of history at Tikal
The city we call Tikal was called something like Mutul by its Mayan inhabitants and was inhabited continuously for about 1,700 years. While there has been magnificent archaeological and translating work done in recent years, the foundation of what we know of Tikal was laid in a great excavating and mapping project done by the University of Pennsylvania from 1955 until 1969. The author of this book, Peter D. Harrison, Ph.D. had participated in these (and other) excavations and brings that first hand authority to this very interesting book.

Dr. Harrison starts with the pre-history of Tikal and ends with the little we know of its inhabitants after the collapse in the 9th century. However, most of the book centers on the succession of 30 rulers (Kings, Lords, or whatever you want to call them). We know who most of these people were because of the Mayan predilection for documenting great events by erecting great monuments that had writing on them that we can now read (mostly).

The author also shares important understanding of the building of the great palaces and temples and shows us their important orientations and relationships with each other. Since what we see today is the decayed form of the final state of Tikal, I found it fascinating to work backward and realize all that wasn't there when the city was at its height of power and influence. The great pyramids we associate with the city today were late additions by an important set of rulers, but by no means the most powerful the city had known.

The book is full of pictures, great drawings, maps, and even some beautiful color plates. There is also a page on when and how to visit Tikal that would be very helpful for those intending to visit the site. There are also many helpful notes and an index.

I have two tiny nits to pick with the book, however. The first is that for several of the maps I had to use a magnifying glass to read the labels for the buildings. The second is even less important and I am not convinced that the author didn't make the better choice. However, when I am reading about Mayan culture I like to see the dates given in the Long Count format when applicable with our western dates in parenthesis. The reason for wanting the Long Count is to easily see when events are associated with important dates. Dr. Harrison does give these Long Count dates in the notes, but uses our calendar for the dates in the text (most of the time).

Anyway, these do not detract from the immense value of the book or the fun I had reading it. Thanks, Dr. Harrison!