Ancient Civilizations Of The New World

ISBN-13: 9780813313832 / Angielski / Miękka / 1997 / 172 str.

Richard E. W. Adams; William H. McNeill; Ross E. Dunn

Opis

In this concise, yet sweeping look at the origins and development of ancient New World civilizations, Richard Adams provides a superb introductory overview of these unique and fascinating cultures. Incorporating the latest breakthroughs in the study of the cultures of Mesoamerica and the Andes, Adams examines the development of the Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca peoples, among others, from simple agricultural societies to urban civilizations with complex transportation networks, distinct social hierarchies, rich artistic and religious traditions, and writing systems that have defied anthropological investigation until recently.The question of why these thriving cultures collapsed so suddenly when faced with the European conquest is explored, as are comparisons with ancient Old World civilizations of the Middle East and Asia.

Spis treści

List of tables and Illustrations -- Acknowledgments -- 1 Introduction: Complex cultures, cities, and a rapid survey of the earliest old world civilizations -- 2 Mesoamerica: Origins and early civilizations -- 3 Mesoamerica: Transformations and the late civilazations -- 4 The central andes of south America: origins and Early civilizations -- 5 The central Andes of south america: late civilizations and the Inca -- Epilogue -- References -- About the Book and Author -- Index.

O autorze

Richard Ew Adams