Palenque : recent investigations at the classic Maya center /

Palenque, in northern Chiapas, Mexico, is one of the most famous ancient Maya cities, renowned for its refined architecture and sculptures that depict rulers and record their histories. The kingdom flourished from about 430 CE until the early 800s, when the city's center and ruling class were no longer maintained. Editor Marken (Southern Methodist Univ.) and 12 other archaeologists who have worked at Palenque present a wealth of new information from five major projects (mid-1990s through 2004). Chapters cover many topics, including an intensive mapping program with new data on population size and distribution, the city's water control system, and the relationship of structures to historic events and religious symbolism. Text translations add new information on dynastic history and relationships. Issues of method and theory are discussed throughout the volume, and there is a thoughtful essay on concerns surrounding restoring and protecting archaeological sites. The final chapter reviews the nature of Palenque as a state and its relationship with its neighboring states from the broad perspective of both data and theoretical issues. A major contribution to Maya archaeology; of lasting value for research library collections. Summing Up: Essential. Upper-division undergraduates and above. K. A. Dixon emeritus, California State University, Long Beach