Mexican Archaeology
An Introduction to the Archaeology of the Mexican and Mayan Civilizations of Pre-Spanish America

Originally published in 1914, this pioneering and highly illustrated textbook helpfully summarises Mexican and Mayan archaeology for non-specialist readers.

Thomas Athol Joyce (Author)

9781108063746, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 31 October 2013

464 pages, 117 b/w illus. 1 colour illus. 3 maps
21.6 x 14 x 2.6 cm, 0.59 kg

An anthropologist and archaeologist working for much of his life at the British Museum, Thomas Athol Joyce (1878–1942) succeeded in making American archaeology more accessible to non-specialists. Through careful analysis and presentation of the available evidence from South and Central America, he secured his reputation as an authority in this field, especially with regard to Mayan civilisation. Drawing on his wide reading of the published literature, he produced three pioneering and highly illustrated textbooks. The present work appeared in 1914 and focuses on Mexican and Mayan culture. The topics discussed include social structure and daily life, warfare, trade and architecture, as well as religious observance and mythology. Particular attention is paid to the calendar, with appendices providing the names of days and months along with a provisional dating scheme. Joyce's South American Archaeology (1912) and Central American and West Indian Archaeology (1916) are also reissued in this series.

Preface
Introduction
1. Mexico: tribal history
2. Mexico: the gods
3. Mexico: the calendar and calendrical feasts
4. Mexico: writing, priesthood, medicine and burial
5. Mexico: social system, war, trade and justice
6. Mexico: crafts, dress and daily life
7. Mexico: architectural remains and pottery
8. The Maya: history
9. The Maya: religion and myths
10. The Maya: the calendar, calendrical feasts and minor religious observances
11. The Maya: burial, social system, trade and war
12. The Maya: dress, daily life and crafts
13. The Maya: architectural remains
14. Conclusions
Appendices
Index.

Subject Areas: Archaeology by period / region [HDD]