Examining changes to the institution of divine kingship from 750 to 950 CE in the Maya lowland cities, Maya Kingship presents a new way of studying the collapse of that civilization and the transformation of political systems between the Terminal Classic and Postclassic Periods.Leading experts in Maya studies offer insights into the breakdown of kingship regimes, as well as the gradual urban collapse and settlement relocations that followed. The volume illuminates historical factors and actions that led to the end of the institution across kingdoms and the mechanisms that enabled societies to eventually recover with new political structures. Contributors provide archaeological, iconographic, epigraphic, and ethnohistorical perspectives, exploring datasets in the spheres of warfare, social dynamics, economics, and architecture. Unfolding with precision the chains of processes and events that occurred during the ninth and tenth centuries in the southern lowlands, and slightly later in the north, this volume displays an original and ambitious historical approach central to understanding one of the most radical political shifts to occur in the pre-Columbian Americas.

This detailed study of Mayan archaeology in the Campeche region of Mexico is based on an extensive catalogue of surveys and excavations mostly conducted during the latter part of the 20th century. Initially, Nondedeo presents an overview of the geology and geography of the region before discussing the methodologies of recent or current projects. This is followed by two catalogues or gazetteers of sites; the former focuses on one area, Balamku-Nadzca'an, while the latter widens the field. An interpretative discussion concludes the volume. Excavation areas, structures and finds are illustrated. French text.