The Maya has long been established as the best and most readable introduction to the New World's greatest ancient civilization. In these pages Professor Coe distills a lifetime's scholarship for the general reader and student.

Now, for the sixth edition, Professor Coe incorporates the latest ideas and research in a fast-changing field. Spectacular tomb discoveries at the city of Copan reveal some of the early artistic and architectural splendors at this major site. New finds here and elsewhere entail a complete reinterpretation of the relationship between the warrior-kings of the Classic Maya lowlands and Teotihuacan, the greatest city of pre-Conquest America.

Continuing epigraphic breakthroughs - decipherments of Maya inscriptions - demonstrate vividly the shifting power blocs among the competing Maya city-states. Special features of this revised edition are a new guide to visiting the Maya area and lists of rulers for the major Classic cities, never before published in this form.