Surrounded by the sea in all directions, the Maya viewed water as a source of both life and danger. Through the artworks presented—including acknowledged masterpieces and many never before exhibited in the United States—readers will gain a new appreciation for water’s influence on Maya cosmology, its role in their interpretation of the supernatural, as well as its impact on Maya cross-cultural contacts, trading practices, and power dynamics. Essays by prominent scholars provide an interdisciplinary context for understanding Maya art as well as new interpretations of traditional iconography and symbolism.

Accompanying a monumental exhibition comprising almost 100 artworks ranging from carved stone monuments to delicate jade sculptures, this compelling, richly illustrated publication will fundamentally transform the interpretation of Maya art.