Papers from the 1987 Maya Weekend conference at the University of Pennsylvania Museum present current views of Maya culture and language. Also included is an article by George Stuart summarizing the history of the study of Maya hieroglyphs and the fascinating scholars and laypersons who have helped bring about their decipherment.
List of IllustrationsPrefaceIntroductionThe Past as Prelude I. Quest for Decipherment: A Historical and Biographical Survey of Maya Hieroglyphic Investigation EPIGRAPHY AND ICONOGRAPHY: CURRENT STUDIES AND INTERPRETATIONSII. Classic Maya PoliticsIII. From Double Bird to Ah Cacao: Dynastic Troubles and the Cycle of Katuns at Tikal, GuatemalaIV. Preclassic Notation and the Development of Maya WritingV. Excavating Among the Collections: A Reexamination of Three FigurinesVI. Pure Language and Lapidary ProseVII. The Myth of the Popol Vuh as an Instrument of Power THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE: NEW INSIGHTS INTO DEVELOPMENTS AND RELATIONSHIPSVIII. New Ceremonial and Settlement Evidence at La Venta, and its Relation to Preclassic Maya CulturesIX. The Preclassic Origin of Lowland Maya StatesX. Preclassic Maya CivilizationXI. The Development of a Regional Tradition in Southern BelizeXII. Beyond Temples and Palaces: Recent Settlement Pattern Research at the Ancient Maya City of Sayil (1983-1985)XIII. Variations on a Theme: A Frontier View of Maya Civilization THE MAYA WORLD VIEW: THE ANCIENT WAYS AND THE MODERN LEGACYXIV. Deciphering Maya Architectural PlansXV. Burials as Caches; Caches as Burials: A New Interpretation of the Meaning of Ritual Deposits Among the Classic Period Lowland MayaXVI. Rebellious ProphetsXVII. Divination and Prophecy in YucatanXVIII. Mayan Calendars, Cosmology, and Astronomical CommensurationXIX. The Popol Vuh as a Hieroglyphic Book THE PRESENT AS PASTXX. The Future of Tikal