Ancient Maya Political Economies

Marilyn A. Masson is an anthropologist at the State University of New York, Albany. David A. Freidel is an anthropologist at Southern Methodist University.

• 1 Preface, DAVID A. FREIDEL/ 1. Introduction, MARILYN A. MASSON/ 2. The Nouveau Elite Potlatch: One Scenario for the Monumental Rise of Early Civilizations, WILLIAM L. RATHJE/ 3. The Origins of Maya Civilization: The Old Shell Game, Commodity, Treasure and

This important volume examines the changing nature of pre-Columbian Maya political economies in different regions and time periods and at different scales...This book is a significant contribution to the archaeological literature. I believe that it should be a "must-read" volume for scholars of the ancient Maya and would be stimulating reading for any archaeologist interested in early political economies.