Definitively tracing the evolution and history of the Maya civilization from the arrival of migrating 'first peoples' to the end of the Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican World with the Spanish Conquest in the 16th century. A span of some thousands of years are concisely covered in one volume in a thorough study of the evolution of a complex Maya society. A new world of understanding about the ancient Maya civilization has been opened up from new archaeological discoveries and studies. Easy to read and very interesting, providing first an overview, then a chapter by chapter journey through major events in Maya history.