Highlighting the long and intricate history behind the myths and legends of the Aztecs, the Mayans, the Toltecs and the Olmecs. Gorgeous Collector's Edition. Mesoamerican culture is rooted in the region of modern Mexico where some 3500 years ago ancient peoples called the Olmecs farmed, created beautiful art and pottery at roughly the same time as the Middle Kindom Ancient Egyptians, the Babylonians and a little after the Indus Valley societies of India. From the Olmecs grew many different groups, amongst them the sophisticated Mayans 200 years after the beginning of the Common Era. In turn they would be superceded by the Toltecs, during the long period that the Vikings swept across the length of Europe in search of silver. Another precious metal, gold, was plentiful in the Americas, the control of which was mastered by the successors of the Toltecs, the Aztecs, also known as the Mexica, who grew to dominate the region from the 13th to the 15th Century. Soon they would lend their name to the a great new city, Mexico. This new book traces the migrations of the early peoples, and the development of the many rich and varied societies of Mesoamerica, ending tragically with arrival of the Spanish explorers hungry for land, and for Aztec gold. AUTHOR: Jake Jackson has written, edited and contributed to over 20 books on mythology and folklore. Related works include studies of Babylonian creation myths, the philosophy of time and William Blake's use of mythology in his visionary literature. 3 illustrations Hardback, Deluxe edition, foiled and embossed, with gilded edges