The author and editor Henri Stierlin has based his presentation of these most remarkable examples of Mayan architecture on the latest findings from excavations in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Belize. Cities have been rediscovered in the depths of the rain forest, along with soaring pyramids, mysterious tombs, palaces with frescoes and steles. Particularly intriguing is the fact that, although this very advanced civilisation evolved completely separately from that of the "Old World," the architectural parallels are astonishing. Only very recently has it been possible to decipher Mayan hieroglyphics to any great extent. This new research is used to full advantage by this volume as a key to unlock the mystery of Mayan architecture.