101 Q & A on archaeology book launched by Image Factory
Archaeology is one of the pillars of attraction to Belize, but this week an educational publication addresses some lingering misconceptions being perpetuated about our ancient ancestors. The book is entitled “101 Questions and Answers about the Ancient Maya.” According to author and archaeologist Dr. Jaime Awe, the compilation of information is an easy to read illustrated guide that will suit the needs of readers of all interests.
Dr. Jaime Awe, Author
?Some people think that all the Maya they all died out and they disappeared. That?s one of the biggest misconceptions. We know that is not true, the Maya are still an integral part of this country. They contribute to our culture, in fact the last question in the book talks about that. Another one of the misconceptions is that the Maya were the first people that came to Belize. They are not. Paleo-Indians were here 10,000 B.C., archaic people were here from about 7000-2000, the Maya were the third group, so to speak. Maya culture does not start to become established until about 2000 B.C. So that is another one of the misconceptions.?
Yasser Musa, Publisher
?He has a gift for delivery so to speak, and he brought this manuscript to me a few months ago, 101 Questions and Answers about the Ancient Maya of Belize and as I saw it I immediately realised that this is something very necessary, because all types of people can look to this book and find it very accessible. Meaning from young kids eight, nine years old just learning about this grand civilization, curious about exciting discoveries, this is a beautiful guide. On the other hand, as you know, tourism is growing and booming, the cultural industry is growing as well, and people need information. And so the tour guides, actually that is an area we want to target this for, the persons interested in culture and developing their knowledge about the Maya. So this is a book that is kind of like an introduction to the topic.?
Dr. Jaime Awe
?It is important for us to translate the knowledge that we get to everybody. When we live in places like Belize it is particularly important, because this is not just about some ?esoteric? studies that people with PhDs do, this is about our culture. This is about some of the first Belizeans and everybody down the street needs to know this.?
“101 Questions and Answers About the Ancient Maya” is on sale at Image Factory Books for fifteen dollars through the end of December. Dr. Jaime Awe is the Director of the Institute of Archaeology, an arm of the National Institute of Culture and History, NICH.
