The Maya and their land -- Studying the Maya -- A meeting -- Becan -- Justo Sierra Mendez -- Defilers of tombs -- High-level security detail -- Los Alacranes -- Buried city -- Snakes aren't only in the jungle -- The king is coming -- State and federation -- El Comandante -- Run out of bush -- Pyramid of the sorcerer -- In the underworld -- Balakbal and Altamira -- Altar of the kings -- Forgotten -- Where is Pared de los Reyes? -- A mistake -- Oxpemul -- The city of stelae and altars -- Miscellanea -- Tree on a house -- A long way -- From Paixban to Uxul -- Four stelae -- Great effort and little reward -- Where Is Ruppert's diary leading us? -- The Wall of the Kings -- Far from the trail -- Fruitless search -- Terra incognita -- Rio Bec dreams -- Red stone -- Deep well -- In the maw of a monster -- The story of Lagunita -- A new acquisition -- The known and unknown Maya -- Deluge -- Saved.
Summary:
"Previously published in Sprajc's native Slovenia and in German, this thrilling account of machete-wielding jungle expeditions has garnered enthusiastic reviews for its depictions of the efforts, dangers, successes, and disappointments experienced as the explorer-scientist searches out and documents ancient ruins that have been lost to the jungle for centuries. Also a skilled communicator and an experienced scholar, Sprajc conveys in eminently accessible prose a wealth of information on various aspects of the Mayan culture, which he has studied closely for decades. The result is a deeply personal presentation of archaeological research on one of the most enigmatic civilizations of the ancient world. Generously illustrated, this book follows the chronology of Sprajc's discoveries, focusing on what he considers the most interesting episodes. Those who specialize in Mesoamerican prehistory and archaeology will certainly relish Sprajc's reports concerning his many field surveys and the discoveries that resulted. General readers, too, will enjoy his accounts of previously undocumented sites, ancient urban centers overtaken by the jungle, massive sculpted monuments, and mysterious hieroglyphic inscriptions"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.