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syndi_cation

Apr 18, 2007, 10:40 AM

Post #1 of 4 (1164 views)

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Books on Mayan ruins and thanks!

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Hello all,

Can anyone suggest good guide books about Mayan ruins? I've been doing some web searches and there are tons of books about them, not sure which to choose as a good guide.

And thanks to all who answered my post about too many ruins. Yes, I plan to go to Tulum and Coba and onward to Valladolid. I've found a couple of interesting places to stay through trip adviser and can't wait to go.

Thanks all!
Cindy

tonyburton

Apr 18, 2007, 11:20 AM

Post #2 of 4 (1158 views)

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Re: [syndi_cation] Books on Mayan ruins and thanks!

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You are right, there are hundreds of good books on the Maya region. Inevitably, it all depends on just how much detail you really want, and whether you are more interested in architecture, customs, language, etc. etc.

Two of my favorites for a general introduction to the Maya are:

Lost Cities of the Maya by Claude Baudez & Sydney Picasso (Thames & Hudson - New Horizons, 1992). This is a translation of a work which first appeared in French. It is small in format, very well illustrated, and is the kind of book that your teenage daughter might enjoy - not too long or boring, and full of fun facts and ideas!

The New Archaeology and the Ancient Maya by Jeremy Sabloff (Scientific American Library 1990, 1994) is also a great read - this discusses alternative, developing views of the entire Maya region.

Note that neither of these books is really a guide book - they are background reading. The best genuine guide books are the short site guides published by the Mexican Anthropology and History Institute (INAH); these are available in English, but may be difficult to find outside the region. They are extremely good, with ample details, and are also relatively inexpensive.

tonyburton

Apr 18, 2007, 11:33 AM

Post #3 of 4 (1155 views)

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Webpages on Mayan ruins

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And don't forget the large number of articles on this site about the Maya - most can be accessed from the Maya index page at http://www.mexconnected.com/...maya/mayanindex.html
There is also one (by me) about the world's oldest sound recording at
http://www.mexconnected.com/...icles/tbdid0704.html
Enjoy!

syndi_cation

Apr 20, 2007, 9:30 AM

Post #4 of 4 (1114 views)

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Re: [syndi_cation] Books on Mayan ruins and thanks!

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Thanks for the info! I'm getting the Lost Cities book thru the library.
I found an out of print book for sale used on the internet "The Easy Guide to Tulum and Coba". I couldn't find a lot of description about it, but I'm guessing I'll find maps and info about the sites. Sure hope so.. Most guide books I find onlineare guides to traveling in the area and not about the sites themselves. As you said, those I'll find when I get there.

Thanks!
Cindy