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Of gods, glyphs and kings: divinity and rulership among the Classic Maya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Stephen Houston  and
David Stuart
Stephen Houston
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Brigham Young University, Provo UT 84602–5522, USA
David Stuart
Affiliation:
Peabody Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge MA 02138, USA
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Abstract

The ANTIQUITY prize-winning article in the last volume addressed writing, its varying nature and role in early states. Now that the decipherment of Maya writing is well advanced, we can know more of the records of kingship. From them we may discern the concepts and beliefs that defined the authority of these holy lords, as we seek the source of the power of rulers like ‘Sun-faced Snake Jaguar’.

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Papers
Information
Antiquity , Volume 70 , Issue 268 , June 1996 , pp. 289 - 312
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd. 1996

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