Book

Scribes, warriors, and kings: the city of Copán and the ancient Maya

Thames and HudsonNew York, N. Y. • Published In 1991 • Pages: 192

By: Fash, William Leonard.

Abstract
In this work Fash synthesizes the findings of the late twentieth century research at the archaeological site at Copán, Honduras, with particular emphasis on the results of the Copán Mosaics Project which he directed. The author shows '…how fresh information garnered from breakthroughs in the decipherment of Copán inscriptions, studies of Copán architecture, and excavations in some of the elite buildings can be placed in the context of new understandings of the overall Copán Valley environment and settlement, to produce a richer and fuller picture of the development and ultimate demise of the great city than has hitherto been possible' (p. 8). Some of the major topics discussed in the text are early studies on the Copán area, its geography, the preclassic period as a forerunner to the classic in the region, political evolution from chiefdoms to the state, founders of the Copán dynasty, architecture, life under the reign of Yax Pac, and the political collapse of the state.
Subjects
Historical reconstruction
Sociocultural trends
Functional and adaptational interpretations
Writing
Public structures
Recreational structures
Religious and educational structures
Visual arts
Chief executive
Burial practices and funerals
Chronologies and culture sequences
tradition
Classic Maya
HRAF PubDate
2000
Region
Middle America and the Caribbean
Sub Region
Maya Area
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Archaeologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 1999
Field Date
no date
Coverage Date
1750 BP-1100 BP (250 A.D.-900 A.D.)
Coverage Place
Copán site; Honduras
Notes
William L. Fash ; drawings by Barbara W. Fash
Includes bibliographical references (p. 184) and index
LCCN
91065316
LCSH
Mayas--Antiquities