Description
Book SynopsisProfessor Van Weathers has just revolutionized the teaching of Maya archaeology. His lifelike computer simulation Xibalbá Gate places his students in the world of the Late Classic Maya, where political strife, overpopulation, warfare, and social disorganization are in evidence in the soon-to-collapse civilization. Weathers'' real life is also under strain his wife is disenchanted, his son a cynic, his students disinterested, his excavation project blocked by a mysterious Latin American holding company. No wonder he loses himself in the world of King Knot Eye of Xultunich for days on end. But the real world problems magnify-a murder, an illness, an explosion while he tries to negotiate a treaty with a neighboring city, marry the king''s daughter, and engage in a bloodletting ceremony to right a world out of balance. Can he solve the rapidly-merging problems of his virtual world and the modern one while the Nine Lords of Xibalbá, rulers of the Maya underworld, are on the loose? This novel/textbook by noted writer and futurist Rob Swigart offers both an accurate reconstruction of Maya life for introductory archaeology students and an entertaining read for those interested in the Maya world.
Trade ReviewThis is the best novel I have read in some time. And the Maya supernatural domain is accurately portrayed. Students of the Maya should fasten their seatbelts and hang on tight for this adventure, where two apparently separate worlds become fascinatingly less so. The novel requires attention to detail, and will reward the careful reader with exciting times. -- Payson Sheets, University of Colorado
The ruins of Classic Maya civilization exude mystery . . . and students respond by taking archaeology classes. Their enthusiasm tends to wane the more that dates, phases, and pottery types surface. The recent riot of Maya text translations that have exposed some of the more bizarre Maya behaviors have produced a resurgence of students' initial awe. Building on this new knowledge with the imagination of a mustang reigned in by scholarly integrity, Xibalbá Gate is a temple-sized shot of adrenalin in the guise of politically savvy kings, cunning courtiers, sinister court dwarfs, ever-resourceful sorcerers, mostly faithful - and ever superstitious - peasant farmers, and more, whose uniquely luxuriant religious shtick breathes vibrant life into the Classic Maya - so much so that the ancient Maya who are so distanced from us in time and space intrude themselves into every reader's contemporary life. Want your students to take on the material remains of the long-gone Maya seriously, intensely, and intimately? Assign Swigart's book. You'll hear a chorus chanting, "bring on the dates, phases, and pottery types!" -- William Rathje, Stanford University
The author has combined the lively intrigue of a well-crafted novel with a distinctly 21st-century take on every archaeologist’s fantasy. In this case, the fantasy time machine is cast as a computer simulation that takes readers—like the players in the book—deep into the lowland Maya world on the eve of the Classic “collapse.” Like today’s increasingly realistic computer games, the increasingly gripping narrative will capture students and faculty alike. And when the chills subside, will provide lots of opportunity and incentive for talking about events and conditions of the Terminal Classic. -- Wendy Ashmore, University of California, Riverside
Fortunately, for anyone who wants to gain an understanding of what the Maya were about AltaMira Press has given us Rob Swigart's Xibalbá Gate. . . . there is no better way for an interested amateur (and perhaps even professional) Mayanist to get a look at the Maya at the height of their glory just before the lights winked out in the central lowlands in the 9th century of the present era. * Midwest Book Review *
