Description: Excavations of Maya burial vaults at Palenque, Mexico, half a century ago revealed what was then the most extraordinary tomb finding of the pre-Columbian world; its discovery has been crucial to an understanding of the dynastic history and ideology of the ancient Maya. This volume communicates the broad scope of applied interdisciplinary research conducted on the Pakal remains to provide answers to old disputes over the accuracy of both skeletal and epigraphic studies, along with new questions in the field of Maya dynastic research. A benchmark in biological anthropology that presents an updated study of a well-known personage, the volume also offers innovative approaches to the biocultural and interdisciplinary re-creation of Maya dynastic history.
Review Quotes: "Presents an illuminating, synthetic perspective of Maya nobility through biological anthropology that is woven into the epigraphic and archaeological record."--Latin American Antiquity
"Testifies to the coming-of-age of life-history approaches in bioarchaeology and serves as a showcase for advances in bioarchaeology and Maya epigraphy."--Journal of Anthropological Research "[Janaab' Pakal of Palenque] sets a new standard in Maya research... and should not be missed by anyone working on this subject."--Anthropological Notebooks"The significance of this volume to Maya studies and to comparable bioarchaeological examinations of life and death in the ancient world should be obvious to any interested reader."--Bulletin of Latin American Research
"Pakal's tomb has fascinated lay readers and scientists for 50 years and this volume will only add to that fascination in years to come."--The Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Anthropology
"This book is original in its holistic, multidisciplinary approach to the analysis of a single tomb and its attention to Maya chronicles as well as to skeletal analysis. It takes the reader carefully through the history of Pakal's discovery, skeletal analysis, and interpretation of Maya biographies."--Ekaterina Pechenkina, City University of New York "This volume is a milestone for the study of Maya skeletal remains and epigraphy and sets to rest a dispute that has challenged the accuracy of both skeletal and epigraphic studies of the ancient Maya. It should be avidly read by Maya archaeologists, osteologists, and the ever abundant avocational enthusiasts of Maya archaeology."--Lori Wright, Texas AM University