A World of BArgAIns: - Oxbow Books

The AmericasWhen ordering, please quote the reference number 344 - 09The Mayaby Michael D CoeAn enlarged and revised sixth edition of thisaccessible, illustrated introduction to the Mayapeople, with the focus on the magnificent Classicperiod with its fabulous art and architecture.256p, illus (Thames and Hudson 1999) paperback,9780500277164, $19.95. Reduced to $7.98The Sport of Life and DeathThe Mesoamerican Ballgameedited by E Michael WhittingtonThe Olmec began playing ballgames around 1800BC, an activity that soon became an important partof Mesoamerican life. This book accompanies anexhibition at the Mint Museum of Art in NorthCarolina and includes 11 essays from the world’sleading authorities on Mesoamerican art andculture. The contributors consider all aspectsof ballgames, enactment, gender and symbolicaspects, the regalia worn, `performance’, the courtsetting, and the legacy of the game. The cataloguecontains many superb colour photographs offigurines, painted and sculpted vessels and reliefpanels.288p, 171 color & 152 b/w illus (Thames and Hudson2001) hardback, 9780500051085, $50.00.Reduced to $14.98Pathways to Prismatic BladesA Study in MesoamericanObsidian Core-Blade Technologyby Kenneth Hirth and Bradford AndrewsExplores the social and economic processesinvolved in the manufacture of obsidian prismaticblades, one of the sharpest cutting instrumentsever produced in the prehistoric world. Focusingon ancient Mesoamerica, contributors examine thevariation in the way the blades were manufacturedand the causes behind their variation.145p (Cotsen Institute of Archaeology 2002)paperback, 9780917956997, $32.00.Reduced to $9.98Early Scholars’ Visitsto Central Americaby Marilyn Beaudry-Corbett and Ellen T HardyTranslations of articles by three scholars whowere preeminent in the social and natural sciencestudy of Central America in the early twentiethcentury. Their research areas included ethnology,archaeology, geography, linguistics, and epigraphy,and their detailed observations of traditionalcultures and archaeological remains provideimportant primary data. These writings supplycrucial historical background for contemporaryscholars.119p (Cotsen Institute of Archaeology 1995) paperback,9780917956959, $28.00. Reduced to $9.98The Human Skeletal Remainsof Altar de SacrificiosAn Osteobiographic Analysisby Frank P Saul122p (Peabody Museum of Natural History 1972)paperback, $20.00. Reduced to $6.98The Aztec Calendarand Other Solar Monumentsby Eduardo Matos Moctezuma and Felipe SolisA unique book that brings together two of the mostimportant expressions of the pre-Hispanic era: theAztec Calendar and the solar symbol Nahui Ollin.Time has transformed the Aztec Calendar into asymbol associated with ruthless human sacrificesperformed by the Mexicans. Well-documentedstudies by these two talented scholars uncoverthe true purpose of the stone and the historicalevents which resulted in the creation of thismarvelous monolith. This is the only book thatbrings together photographs of other importantsolar monuments from multiple private collectionsand various museums around the world. To date,there is no other book that provides such a preciseand fascinating description of the meaning of theAztec Calendar and of Nahui Ollin. The bookincludes a unique booklet with six transparencieswhich highlight each of the six concentric circlesof the Aztec Calendar in full color. Also availablein Spanish.164p, 201 color and b/w illus (Grupo Azabache 2005)hardback, 9789706780096, $60.00. Reduced to$19.98Settlement Archaeologyand Political Economyat Tres Zapotes, Veracruz, Mexicoedited by Christopher A PoolThis volume presents new information from aprogram of intensive archaeological survey andsurface collection at an important Olmec andEpi-Olmec center.A dual strategy of systematicinterval transect sampling and full-coverage surveyof architectural features and artifact concentrationspermits an evaluation of the relative effectivenessof these commonly employed methods. Augertesting in floodplain areas yielded evidence ofextensive buried deposits. Distributional analysisof the surface and subsurface data documentsthe site’s growth and decline from 900 BC toAD 900 in radiocarbon years and confirm thatTres Zapotes achieved its apogee during theLate and Terminal Formative periods (400 BCto AD 300). An attribute analysis of burnedearthen artifacts discriminates between daub andprobable kiln remains, helping to define ceramicproduction loci. Interpretive chapters discussthe organization of ceramic and obsidian craftproduction, concluding that craft activities weremainly household based with little elite controlover production. The concluding synthesis arguesfor weak centralization of authority of Tres Zapotesand highlights variability in the political andeconomic processes affecting forms of urbanism inthe lowlands of Mesoamerica.106p, b/w illus (Cotsen Institute of Archaeology 2003)paperback, 9781931745079, $28.00. Reduced to $9.98Themes of IndigenousAcculturation in North West Mexicoby T B Hinton76p (University of Arizona Press 1981) paperback,9780816503247, $10.95. Reduced to $3.98Archaeological Researchat Xochicalpo, 1Ancient Urbanism at XochicalcoThe Evolution and Organizationof a Pre-Hispanic Societyby Kenneth HirthThe ancient site of Xochicalco is located inthe southern reaches of the central Mexicanmountain range. The Xochicalco Mapping Projectwas initiated in 1978. Its specific goals were tolocate the site’s physical boundaries and identifyits residential area; map and establish the sizeof Xochicalco during its major developmentalperiods; analyze the site’s residential and publicarchitecture to provide clues for sociopoliticalorganization; and obtain data for insight intoXochicalco’s role in the regional evolution of social,economic, and political systems.448p (University of Utah Press 2000) hardback,9780874805857, $75.00. Reduced to $19.98Alcohol in Ancient Mexicoby Henry J BurmanThe art of distillation arrived in Mexico with theSpaniards in the sixteenth century. Even beforethat time native skills and available resourceshad contributed to a well-developed tradition ofintoxicating beverages, many of which are stillproduced and consumed. Henry Bruman visitedvarious Mexican and Central American Indiantribes to reconstruct the variety and extent of theseancient traditions.224p, illus (University of Utah Press 2000) hardback,9780874806588, $30.00. Reduced to $9.98An Archaeological Guide toNorthern Central Americaby Joyce KellyA guide book to the archaeological sites andmuseums of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and ElSalvador. It covers nearly 40 sites and 25 museumswith brief descriptions of the site and gooddirections and useful advice. Lots of site-plans andphotographs to entice and it includes some of therather less well-known and remote sites as well asthe major complexes.340p, 24 col & 170 b/w photos, 21 figs (University ofOklahoma Press 1996) hardback, 9780806128580,$55.00. Reduced to $12.98Aztecs & MayaThe Ancient Peoples of Middle Americaby Nicholas JamesA good historical overview of the people of MiddleAmerica from early times to the present day.Nicholas James traces the rise and fall of societiessuch as the Olmecs, Maya, Zapotecs and Aztecs,and discusses the nature of their language, beliefsystems, culture and especially their art andmonuments.162p, 27 col pls, 74 b/w figs & pls (Tempus 2001)paperback, 9780752414249, $29.99. Reduced to$12.98The David Brown Book Co. 20 www.oxbowbooks.com — toll-free 1-800-791-9354