An Introduction to the Study of the Maya Hieroglyphs

"With the great expansion of interest in American archeology during the last few years there has grown to be, a corresponding need and demand for primary textbooks, archeological primers so to speak, which will enable the general reader, without previous knowledge of the science, to understand its several branches. With this end in view, the author has prepared An Introduction to the Study of the Maya Hieroglyphs.

"The need for such a textbook in this particular field is suggested by two considerations: (1) The writings of previous investigators, having been designed to meet the needs of the specialist rather than those of the beginner, are for the greater part too advanced and technical for general comprehension; and (2) these writings are scattered through many publications, periodicals as well as books, some in foreign languages, and almost all difficult of access to the average reader." [from the Preface]

Best introduction to the topic — easily accessible to beginners. Extremely full in interpretation; very thorough in exposition of variants and unusual features, with reproductions of many inscriptions unavailable elsewhere. Material from Old and New Empires.