Historical Dictionary Of Mesoamerica

Mesoamerica is one of six major areas of the world where humans independently changed their culture from a nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle into settled communities, cities, and civilization. In addition to China (twice), the Indus Valley, the Fertile Crescent of southwest Asia, Egypt, and Peru, Mesoamerica was home to exciting and irreversible changes in human culture called the "Neolithic Revolution." The changes included domestication of plants and animals, leading to agriculture, husbandry, and eventually sedentary village life. These developments set the stage for the growth of cities, social stratification, craft specialization, warfare, writing, mathematics, and astronomy, or what we call the rise of civilization. These changes forever transformed humankind. The Historical Dictionary of Mesoamerica covers the history of Mesoamerica through a chronology, an introductory essay, an extensive bibliography, and over 900 cross-referenced dictionary entries covering the major peoples, places, ideas, and events related to Mesoamerica. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Mesoamerica.

"This historical dictionary covers some of the major discoveries of the diverse investigations that have taken place throughout ancient Mesoamerican over the last 100 years."--Preface.

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Encyclopedia of the Ancient Maya offers an A-to-Z overview of the ancient Maya culture from its inception around 3000 BC to the Spanish Conquest after AD 1600. Over two hundred entries written by more than sixty researchers explore subjects ranging from food, clothing, and shelter to the sophisticated calendar and now-deciphered Maya writing system. They bring special attention to environmental concerns and climate variation; fresh understandings of shifting power dynamics and dynasties; and the revelations from emerging field techniques (such as LiDAR remote sensing) and newly explored sites (such as La Corona, Tamchen, and Yaxnohkah). This one-volume reference is an essential companion for students studying ancient civilizations, as well as a perfect resource for those planning to visit the Maya area. Cross-referencing, topical and alphabetical lists of entries, and a comprehensive index help readers find relevant details. Suggestions for further reading conclude each entry, while sidebars profile historical figures who have shaped Maya research. Maps highlight terrain, archaeological sites, language distribution, and more; over fifty photographs complement the volume.

This dictionary provides a historical overview of the major architectural developments and styles, building materials and types, major structures and locations, sites and architects. Historical eras like ancient Egyptian architecture and the Renaissance in Europe and movements such as Art Deco are covered. Materials discussed range from concrete, stone, glass and wood, while types of structures include architectural inventions such as the arch and dome to building types from monasteries and mosques to museums and skyscrapers. Major structures highlighted in this volume include not only great achievements such as Hagia Sophia and the Eiffel Tower, but also important sites such as the Great Zimbabwe and Angkor Wat, found on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. General geographical areas are also covered, such as African and Russian architecture. Noted architects include theorists from the ancient Chinese engineer Yu Hao Roman engineer Vitruvius to many current architects such as Zaha Hadid and Santiago Calatrava, with a focus on architects who have enjoyed lasting fame through history or have won international prizes such as the Pritzker Architecture Prize. This second edition of Historical Dictionary of Architecture contains a chronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 400 cross-referenced entries on architects, famous structures, types of materials, and the different architectural styles. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about architecture.

El Salvador might be the smallest country in Central America by territory but it has had a significant impact on the region and played an important role in U.S. foreign policy toward Latin America. The country’s history is intertwined with the struggles for self-determination and sovereignty both from Spanish colonial domination and after independence from the rule of foreign caudillos and its stronger neighbors, such as Mexico and Guatemala. The country had an important role in United States policies toward Latin America during the Cold War. The Historical Dictionary of El Salvador contains a chronology, an introduction, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 200 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about El Salvador.

"Historical Dictionary of Mexico contains a chronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 500 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture"--

While most visitors to Mexico visit one of the great Mayan cities, it is worth visiting some of the lesser-known ruins like Mayapan and Balamku. Mayapan is an ancient Maya city in the northern Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. The site has a long history, with its first occupation dating back to at least 900 BC and its last occupation dating to around 1450 AD. The word "Mayapan" means "Hill of the Jaguar." The name refers to the shape of one of three hills that formed it - this hill was called Pa Chan (Place of the Jaguar). It was here that a jaguar deity named Chac reigned. When Chac left his post as a god of rain, the rain ceased falling on earth for four years until he returned; during this time, people were forced to irrigate their crops by hand or die from thirst if they failed at growing corn without rainwater overflow from nearby lakes and rivers. The city of Teotihuacan is one of the most important archaeological sites in Mexico. It was the center of a civilization at its peak around the 1st century B.C. and was abandoned around 650 AD, leaving behind an impressive collection of pyramids and other structures. As you explore this site, you will discover how these ancient people lived and what they left behind for us to admire today. Tulum is a small town on the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, south of Cancún. It may not be your first choice if you look for beaches and relaxation. But if you want to see some fantastic architecture—and walk in the footsteps of the Maya—you should definitely make plans to visit Tulum. The Mayans built the city between 1200 and 1450 CE (Common Era) as a seaport for trading with other cultures in Mesoamerica. Its popularity rose with increased trade throughout Mexico during this period; however, it fell into disrepair after Spanish colonization began around 1519 CE when conquistador Hernán Cortés took control over what had been largely autonomous states up until then. The buildings are made from limestone quarried from nearby cliffs and from sandstone blocks that were likely carried from much further away by barge or canoe along rivers and lakes (since there were no roads). The city of Uxmal is a magnificent example of the Puuc style, with its buildings built of fine stuccoed brickwork. As you explore the site, you can see how closely related it is to Chichén Itzá and other major Maya sites in the region. The Pyramid of the Magician (also known as El Castillo) - is a fantastic pyramid building with 4 sides, each having 91 steps and each step 7 feet tall for a total height of 65 feet! House of Turtles (or Casa del Adivino) - this building has beautiful decorations both inside and out depicting turtles in different positions; some say that these turtles represent wisdom or knowledge. Tikal is the largest Mayan ruin in Guatemala and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was the capital of the Maya kingdom of the same name and one of their most potent cities, dating back to at least 200 B.C., if not earlier. It was abandoned by the Maya around 900 A.D., but its temples still tower over the jungle floor today—some are even taller than they were when they were first built! Palenque, Crown of the North, is one of the most critical sites in the Maya world. Palenque was once a thriving city and capital of one of Mexico's most powerful states. It boasts some of the most impressive ruins on this list. It was first discovered by a German explorer in 1719 while looking for a site to build his own city. The main pyramid at Palenque rises over 70 meters (230 ft) into the air, and its steps are steep enough to pause even hardened explorers when climbing them! There are also two smaller temples nearby and many smaller statues depicting jaguars – these symbolize power for humans and gods alike.