Time and Reality in the Thought of the Maya

In this second English-language edition of one of his most notable works, Miguel León-Portilla explores the Maya Indians' remarkable concepts of time. At the book's first appearance Evon Z. Vogt, Curator of Middle American Ethnology in Harvard University, predicted that it would become "a classic in anthropology," a prediction borne out by the continuing critical attention given to it by leading scholars.
Like no other people in history, the ancient Maya were obsessed by the study of time. Their sages framed its cycles with tireless exactitude. Yet their preoccupation with time was not limited to calendrics; it was a central trait in their evolving culture.
In this absorbing work León-Portilla probes the question, What did time really mean for the ancient Maya in terms of their mythology, religious thought, worldview, and everyday life? In his analysis of key Maya texts and computations, he reveals one of the most elaborate attempts of the human mind to penetrate the secrets of existence.

Summary

Examines the ancient Maya's obsession with time: they believed a flow of divine time determined man's destiny and their calendars and astronomical computations were replete with time-related myths. The author describes these beliefs and their influence on the life of the Maya.

Product details

• Authors: Miguel Leon-Portilla, Miguel León-Portilla, Miguel Leon- Portilla
• Assisted by: C. Boiles (Translation), F. Horcasitas (Translation)
• Publisher: University Of Oklahoma Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 14.06.2022
• EAN: 9780806123080
• ISBN: 978-0-8061-2308-0
• No. of pages: 254
• Dimensions: 140 mm x 210 mm x 16 mm
• Weight: 353 g
• Series: Civilization of the American I; Civilization of American Indian S.; The Civilization of the American Indian Series
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Regional and national histories; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > Miscellaneous