Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan

A detailed description of ancient Mayan sites, first published in 1841, which kindled Victorian interest in the Maya civilisation.

John Lloyd Stephens (Author)

9781108017299, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 26 August 2010

550 pages, 43 b/w illus. 1 map
21.6 x 14 x 3.1 cm, 0.69 kg

John Lloyd Stephens (1805–1852) was an American politician, explorer and writer who is renowned for his pioneering research into the ancient Maya civilisation of Central America. In 1839 Stephens was appointed a Special Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Central America (modern Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador). First published in 1841, this two-volume work is an account of his travels in 1839 and 1840, visiting and recording ancient Mayan sites. Stephens describes Copán, Palenque and forty-two other ancient sites and includes over fifty illustrations drawn by his travelling companion Frederick Catherwood (1799–1854), a professional architect. Although earlier accounts of Mayan ruins had been published, Stephens' vivid descriptions and Catherwood's meticulous drawings were far more detailed and accurate than previous reports, and kindled Victorian interest in the ancient Maya civilisation. Volume 2 focuses on Palenque, Uxmal and other Mayan sites.

1. Visit to the volcano of Masaya
2. Beautiful plain
3. Journey to San Salvador
4. Contributions
5. Approach of Carrera's forces
6. Visit from General Morazon
7. Ruins of Quirigua
8. Reception at the Government House
9. Journey continued
10. Lake of Atitan
11. Interior of a convent
12. Quezaltenango
13. Journey continued
14. Comfortable lodgings
15. Parting
16. A wild country
17. Preparations for visiting the ruins
18. Precautions against the attacks of Moschetoes
19. A voice from the ruins
20. Plan of the ruins
21. Departure from the ruins
22. Embarcation
23. Laguna
24. Journey resumed
25. Ruins of Uxmal
26. Exploration finished
27. Journey to Merida.

Subject Areas: Archaeology by period / region [HDD]