ANT 476 - The Ancient Maya

Examines the historical development of ancient Mayan civilizations of Mexico and Central America, stretching from the earliest Mesoamerican village and the onset of agriculture, to the rise of the powerful Mayan empire, and the European contact period. Important themes include the origins and intensification of agriculture, the rise of an elite class, public architecture and urbanism, and regional interactions spheres.Examines the origins and development of ancient Maya civilization beginning with precursors to Maya culture in the first two millennia BC and ending with the final conquest of the last independent Maya kingdom in 1697. Among the topics covered will be the rise of complex society in the Maya region, the history of individual Maya city-states and rulers, social and political organization, art and religion, craft production and economy, commoner life, hieroglyphic writing, human-environment dynamics, and the Classic Maya collapse.

Satisfies the General Education Writing Intensive Requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes
ANT 101 or ANT 170.

Credits: 3