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Living Architecture: Mayan by Henri Stierlin ➤ Oldbourne, London 1964 First English Edition
Living Architecture: Mayan Preface by Pedro Ramirez Vasquez; Text and Photographs by Henri Stierlin Oldbourne, London 1964 First English Edition
Title: Living Architecture: Mayan
Author: Henri Stierlin
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Oldbourne, London 1964
Edition: First English Edition
Size: 8.5 X 8.5 * 192 pages
Synopsis: From the Jacket: THE ARCHITECTURE of the ancient Mayan people presents the modern world with a unique paradox and a riddle that has so far remained unsolved. The paradox lies in the fact that, unlike the buildings of other vanished civilizations, those of the Maya were never subject to the depredations of human hands. In ancient Egypt, in Greece and Rome, materials for new buildings were obtained by destroying the old. In the Central American lands of the Maya, the monuments were subject only to the attacks of the climate and the jungle; all the component parts remained and archaeologists can now reconstruct the buildings with an unparalleled degree of accuracy.
Yet they cannot fully explain how it came about that a civilization which produced countless temples and palaces of monumental size and designed cities that are completely in tune with modern ideas of city planning, rose to a brilliant peak and then fell into utter decline in seven centuries.
Yet another fascinating paradox is presented by this civilization: the Maya invented writing and arithmetical systems, evolved a remarkably accurate astronomy, discovered concrete, yet they had no knowledge of the wheel nor the service of any domestic animals. In many technological fields they were at a neolithic stage of development.
With such limited means at their disposal, the Maya produced what the author describes as "a vast, powerful architecture, with colossal pyramids and palaces of astonishingly modern horizontality." Against the dramatic background of the rise and fall of their civilization, he deals in detail with the design and construction of the principal buildings which for more than a thousand years lay unknown and undisturbed in the heart of the jungle.
Overall Condition: Very good: The book does not look new and has been read but is in excellent condition. There is no obvious damage to the cover the dust jacket (with minor wear and tear) is included. There are no missing or damaged pages, no creases or tears, and no underlining/highlighting of text or writing in the margins. It may have very minimal identifying marks on the inside cover as well as very minimal wear and tear. See images.
Secure shipping bubble-wrapped in a new box/mailer.
2026--U.S. shipping for this (Three Pounds Media Mail) is $5.97 with tracking.
Multiple items will be combined for the lowest shipping price.
International Shipping cost is based on the destination so inquire before buying. Mobile users must scroll to the bottom and click on 'use desktop site' to bring up the Ask a Question link which sends me an email.
(PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT FROM OUTSIDE THE U.S.)
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Just about all the books are USED books. Some have been used more gently than others. Some have been in libraries and have typical library extras. Some are so old and/or interesting that they are being offered for the sake of preservation regardless of the condition they are in. If the condition of the book is very important to you, please feel free to click the 'Ask seller a question' link and I will tell you more.
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Title: Living Architecture: Mayan
Author: Henri Stierlin
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Oldbourne, London 1964
Edition: First English Edition
Size: 8.5 X 8.5 * 192 pages
Synopsis: From the Jacket: THE ARCHITECTURE of the ancient Mayan people presents the modern world with a unique paradox and a riddle that has so far remained unsolved. The paradox lies in the fact that, unlike the buildings of other vanished civilizations, those of the Maya were never subject to the depredations of human hands. In ancient Egypt, in Greece and Rome, materials for new buildings were obtained by destroying the old. In the Central American lands of the Maya, the monuments were subject only to the attacks of the climate and the jungle; all the component parts remained and archaeologists can now reconstruct the buildings with an unparalleled degree of accuracy.
Yet they cannot fully explain how it came about that a civilization which produced countless temples and palaces of monumental size and designed cities that are completely in tune with modern ideas of city planning, rose to a brilliant peak and then fell into utter decline in seven centuries.
Yet another fascinating paradox is presented by this civilization: the Maya invented writing and arithmetical systems, evolved a remarkably accurate astronomy, discovered concrete, yet they had no knowledge of the wheel nor the service of any domestic animals. In many technological fields they were at a neolithic stage of development.
With such limited means at their disposal, the Maya produced what the author describes as "a vast, powerful architecture, with colossal pyramids and palaces of astonishingly modern horizontality." Against the dramatic background of the rise and fall of their civilization, he deals in detail with the design and construction of the principal buildings which for more than a thousand years lay unknown and undisturbed in the heart of the jungle.
Overall Condition: Very good: The book does not look new and has been read but is in excellent condition. There is no obvious damage to the cover the dust jacket (with minor wear and tear) is included. There are no missing or damaged pages, no creases or tears, and no underlining/highlighting of text or writing in the margins. It may have very minimal identifying marks on the inside cover as well as very minimal wear and tear. See images.
Secure shipping bubble-wrapped in a new box/mailer.
2026--U.S. shipping for this (Three Pounds Media Mail) is $5.97 with tracking.
Multiple items will be combined for the lowest shipping price.
International Shipping cost is based on the destination so inquire before buying. Mobile users must scroll to the bottom and click on 'use desktop site' to bring up the Ask a Question link which sends me an email.
(PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT FROM OUTSIDE THE U.S.)
==========================================================================================================================
Just about all the books are USED books. Some have been used more gently than others. Some have been in libraries and have typical library extras. Some are so old and/or interesting that they are being offered for the sake of preservation regardless of the condition they are in. If the condition of the book is very important to you, please feel free to click the 'Ask seller a question' link and I will tell you more.
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