Heart of Creation: The Mesoamerican World and the Legacy of Linda Schele

This comprehensive collection of essays by 25 leading Mayanists honors the legacy of Linda Schele, a pioneering Mayanist who inspired generations of scholars and enthusiasts alike.

With contributions ranging from the ritual function of public space at Olmec sites to the meaning of the water throne of Quirigua Zoomorph P, this book provides a thorough overview of current Maya studies and Schele's impact on the field.

The workshops on Maya history and writing that Schele conducted for highland people in Guatemala and Mexico are also thoroughly addressed, as well as the phenomenon termed "Maya mania" - the explosive growth of interest in Maya epigraphy, iconography, astronomy, and cosmology that Schele stimulated.

An appendix provides a bibliography of Schele's publications and a collection of Scheleana, written memories of "the Rabbit Woman" by some of her colleagues and students.

This book is a must-read for professionals and generalists alike, serving as both a marker of the state of Mayan studies at the turn of the 21st century and a tribute to Schele's remarkable personality and contributions to the field.