Secrets in Stone - All about Maya Hieroglyphs

Gr. 3-6. Unlocking the secret of Mayan hieroglyphics was a long and painstaking process, lasting well over a hundred years. Europeans rediscovered early Mayan cities in the 1840s, and their bafflement at the ancient system of writing began a scholarly process that didn't have its final breakthrough until the mid-1970s. Coulter describes clearly and concisely how the mystery was unraveled, while the colorful, well-laid-out pages add appeal with plenty of photographs and stylized drawings that suggest Mayan art. Ideas for crafts, activities and even a party run along the page bottoms. Also explained are the Maya civilization's number system and complex calendar. A time line, short glossary, and short bibliography (of mostly adult books) are appended. A substantive, much-needed resource. Todd Morning Copyright American Library Association. All rights reserved