The Maya have lived in parts of Mexico and Central America for thousands of years, forging one of the greatest societies in the history of the Americas -- indeed, of humankind. Long before European contact, Mayas built spectacular cities, created complex agricultural systems, mastered the visual arts, and developed a sophisticated writing system that recorded calendrical, mathematical, and astronomical knowledge. Yet there was never a Maya empire or unified state, only numerous, evolving ethnicities speaking dozens of distinct Mayan languages. So how did "the Maya" come to be invented and how have they persisted to this day? In this Very Short Introduction, Matthew Restall and Amara Solari reveal the triumphs and tribulations of Maya culture and history from ancient to colonial to modern times--From publisher's description.