A gripping account of the 400-year-old quest for the precious stone revered by the ancient Maya
Jade has long been prized as one of the most precious substances on earth, used to adorn kings, cure disease, and perform sacred rituals, including human sacrifice. For millennia, it played a crucial role in the culture of the Maya and other ancient Americans, but the Spanish lusted after gold and silver, and within fifty years of the Conquest, the source of Maya jade had been forgotten. Centuries later, archaeologists excavating Maya cities uncovered stunning jades carved with the images of gods and kings, evoking all the mystery and power of a bygone civilization. But where had the stone come from? Some guessed China, others Atlantis—but no one could say for sure, because for the only time in history, a civilization’s most valuable resource had been lost.
Published at the long-anticipated resetting of the Maya Long Count calendar in 2012, this is the story of the gripping, 300-year search for the lost sources of this precious stone. A vivid tale of great rulers, renowned archaeologists, gifted scientists, unlettered prospectors, and hopeful entrepreneurs, Stone of Kings melds history, popular science, and armchair travel into a real-life, high-stakes treasure hunt for the astonishing Maya jade.
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Descrizione libro Hardcover. Condizione: new. Codice articolo 9780762763511
Descrizione libro Hardcover. Condizione: new. Hardcover. A book perfectly timed for the re-setting of the Maya calendar in 2012. Part history, popular science, armchair travel, and real-life treasure hunt, this is the story of pre-Columbian jadethe precious stone revered by ancient Aztecs, Incans, and Mayaand the scientists, collectors, explorers and entrepreneurs who have been searching for the mythical jade mines for century. A book perfectly timed for the re-setting of the Maya calendar in 2012. Part history, popular science, armchair travel, and real-life treasure hunt, this is the story of pre-Columbian jade--the precious stone revered by ancient Aztecs, Incans, and Maya--and the scientists, collectors, explorers and entrepreneurs who have been searching for the mythical jade mines for century. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Codice articolo 9780762763511
Descrizione libro Condizione: New. Brand New. Codice articolo 9780762763511
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Descrizione libro Condizione: New. Num Pages: 304 pages, black & white illustrations, maps. BIC Classification: 1KL; HBJK; HD. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 236 x 159 x 27. Weight in Grams: 34. . 2011. Illustrated. Hardcover. . . . . Codice articolo V9780762763511
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