Publisher's Synopsis
This unique reference source is the definitive guide to the civilizations of ancient Mexico and Central America. Exploring 700 years of history - before, during, and after the European conquest - the Oxford Encyclopedia of Mesoamerican Cultures is a comprehensive, authoritative, and accessible introduction to an extraordinary cultural legacy. With 500 original articles by leading experts from many fields, the Encyclopedia synthesizes a wealth of knowledge about the archeology, history, language, literature, religion, and social life of Aztec, Olmec, Maya and other cultures. The articles incorporate the recent explosion of new scholarship, from new archaeological finds to new translations of classic texts. The scope of the Encyclopedia is wide; from the earliest settlements to the tenacious legacy of pre-Conquest culture in the colonial and postcolonial life of Mesoamerica. Featuring a rich selection of maps, line drawings and photographs, and a carefully designed network of cross-references, blind entries, extensive bibliographies and an index, this unique resource serves students, and scholars, specialists and nonspecialists alike with unrivaled effectiveness.
