Latin American Art: Background sources

Covers the indigenous roots of art in various countries as well as the colonial and post-colonial periods. Early European travellers and the independence movements are also included. Discussed important movements and genre such as landscapes, popular graphics, political murals, surrealism, recent optical and kinetic movements, and a selection of contemporary works. Very fine reproductions with unobtrusive commentary. Includes an appendix of several artists' manifestos, and a section of biographies.

This is the first comprehensive survey drawing together experts in their own national art, who provide a rich discussion of the different histories and cultural traditions that have given each country its own character. The important heritage of previously overlooked countries – such as Ecuador, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Paraguay and Bolivia – are covered here in full.

A comprehensive encyclopedia on the pre-Columbian archaeology of Mesoamerican culture, focusing on regional environments and their cultural evolution. Entries range from the familiar and world-renowned archaeological discoveries of Maya and Aztec sites to lesser known excavations. A rich historical and cultural resource on one of the world's six cradles of civilization.

This authoritative work is the first visual dictionary of Maya glyphs published since the script's complete deciphering, offering a much-needed, comprehensive catalogue of 1100 secured glyphs. Each entry includes the illustrated glyph, its phonetic transcription, Mayan equivalent, part of speech, and meaning.

Answers questions like:
How did the hummingbird become the symbol of the chief Aztec god? Who were the Hero Twins? Why was Venus the planet of war? Did the Maya practise human sacrifice? And did they eat their victims? Who played the ancient ball game? Who were the first consumers of chocolate? What was a war of flowers?

A useful introduction to the settlements, culture, society, celebrations, and achievements of the Incas. Essays explore wide-ranging themes (religion, architecture, farming) and specific topics (ceremonial drinking cup, astronomy), interweaving ethnohistoric and archaeological research with nuanced interpretation. Entries include bibliographies. Sidebars profile chroniclers and researchers of Inca life. Includes a chronology, selected bibliography, regional map.