Ancient Americas: Mesoamerican History & Civilization

THE ANCIENT AMERICAN CIVILIZATIONS (History of Civilization series)
by Friedrich Katz. B&W drawings. Cover photo: Mask representing the god Quezalcoatl, Aztec, c. 1500. Condition: NEW 2000 Phoenix Press Trade Paperback, first printing. Content: Originally published in Germany in 1969. Ever since Columbus set foot on American soil ("invaded" is the correct term), and convinced he had reached India, called the native populations Indians, the origins of the aboriginal inhabitants have been hotly debated. There are few empires about which such contradictory ideas persist as those of the Inca and the Aztecs. Katz Begins his study of the ancient American civilizations - spanning the vast period from the first peoples, thirty-five to fifty thousand years ago, to the Spanish Conquest of 1517 - with a discussion of the sources of our knowledge. He describes the inhabitants, their agriculture - and the cultural sphere of Mesoamerica. Tracing the development of the civilizations of pre-Columbian America from village communities to prosperous city states, this is a fascinating account of how these civilizations culminated in the magnificent empires of the Aztecs and Inca. [1 copy available]
$ 8.88 + $ 2.99 media shipping.

THE ANCIENT EARTHWORKS AND TEMPLES OF THE AMERICAN INDIANS
by Lindesey Brine. Condition: UNREAD 1996 Oracle Publishing (London), first printing. Tiny edgewear with light tanning to page edges. Name inside front cover. Content: Originally published in England in c. 1894. In 1969 an English naval officer set sail from Liverpool, intending to visit the pre-Columbian monuments of Northern and Central America. Only three years had elapsed since the American Civil War had put an end to slavery and large parts of the continent were still inhabited by native peoples, living in the traditional way. This book is the record of his epic journey, by river steamer and mule train, and is based on the diaries he kept at the time. It covers the major archaeological sites of North America, from the huge prehistoric earthworks of Ohio to the hidden Aztec temples of Mexico, with visits to the lands of the Shoshone, the Sioux, the Pawnee and the Dakotas, among many others. An intriguing tour of the great civilizations of the Americas, both ancient and recent, this personal account offers the armchair traveller the opportunity to experience all the excitement of exploration and discovery more than a hundred years ago. Excellent!!! [1 copy available]
$ 7.59 + $ 2.99 media shipping.

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE ANCIENT AMERICAS: Explore the Wonders of the Aztec, Maya, Inca, North American Indians & Arctic Peoples
by Jen Green, Fiona MacDonald, Philip Steele, Michael Stotter. Beautiful, historically accurate, color illustrations. Detailed "how-to" color photos. Condition: NEW 2001 Southwater huge, over-size soft cover, first printing. Shipping weight 3.5 pounds. Content: Reviewer: "There are 4 large sections: Aztec & Maya, Incas, North American Indians, and Arctic Peoples. Each section is set up rather like a DK book, with several color photos (and a few drawings) and text around them. There is lots of information about how each group of people lived, what they believed, some of their history, etc. There are several craft activities for each section, as well. The weakest section is the North American section, since the information for all groups is together. While readers are informed of the different types of homes, clothing, and general lifestyle between the various cultures, there is little information on any specific culture. Readers wanting information on a particular group (Cherokee, Navajo, etc.) will need an additional source. Overall, this is a very good beginning place for learning about ancient American cultures & peoples, especially for children from 5-12 years old (With 5 year olds looking at the pictures and being told a little, and perhaps doing a few crafts with help, and older children reading the text for themselves and doing the crafts alone). After reading the appropriate section of this book, readers will be ready to learn more about whatever specific group they are interested in." This is an excellent book. Over 800 photos & illustrations, including inside-view artworks of homes of the past; exciting historical models to make at home or school; and pictorial maps and timelines. For junior high and up, but all ages will appreciate, IMHO. [1 copy available]
$ 10.49 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

TEOTIHUACAN: The city and its momuments
by Adrian Garcia Valades. Mostly color photos (although there are some B&W photos) and B&W drawings illustrate. Condition: Pre-read 1976 Dicesa (Mexico) small soft cover, second edition. Tiny edgewear with pale crease top front cover corner. Interior clean & tight. Small tag removal mark top front cover. Content: Most likely this book was written for the visitors to the City - but that doesn't mean it isn't an interesting and worthwhile historical document. From an explanation of the names in the city to the use of the buildings and design details, this is a wonderful insight into one of the New World's most beautiful cities. Loaded with graphics and photos. [1 copy available]
$ 4.50 + $ 2.99 media shipping.

JAGUAR BOOKPLATES
art by Julioaldana. Condition: NEW package of 12 bookplates made by pacaritambo books. The peel-off label stock is heavier than most bookplate materials and is matte and not glossy. They are as perfect as possible, and we feel the subject matter is much different than you can get anywhere else. 2.5" H x 4.0" W. We can personalize your bookplate (the font is Hobo BT) - just email us the name. Any questions, click here to email us. Content: The representation of jaguars in Mesoamerican cultures has a long history, with iconographic examples dating back to at least the mid-Formative period of Mesoamerican chronology. The jaguar (Panthera onca) is an animal with a prominent association and appearance in the cultures and belief systems of pre-Columbian Mesoamerican societies. All major Mesoamerican civilizations prominently featured a jaguar god, and for many, such as the Olmec, the jaguar was an important part of shamanism. Shamans often associate the jaguar as a spirit companion or nagual, which will protect the shamans from evil spirits while they move between the earth and the spirit realm. (Wikipedia).
$ 4.00 + $ 2.85 first class shipping. International shipping available.

MAYA CALENDAR BOOKPLATES (T'ZOLKIN BOOKPLATES)
art by Airi Pung. Condition: NEW package of 12 bookplates made by pacaritambo books. The peel-off label stock is heavier than most bookplate materials and is matte and not glossy. They are as perfect as possible, and we feel the subject matter is much different than you can get at anywhere else. 4.0" H x 3.0" W. We can personalize your bookplate (the font is CroissantD) - just email us the name. Any questions, click here to email us. outh Content: This is a rendering of the Maya Calendar (T'zolkin) from ancient carvings with time divisions.
$ 4.00 + $ 2.85 first class shipping. International shipping available.