Translation and Analysis of Two Chapters from Ancient Maya. The Rise and Fall of a Rainforest Civilization by Arthur Demarest

Abstract

The goal of this master’s thesis was to translate two chapters of Ancient Maya. The Rise and Fall of a Rainforest Civilization into Estonian, and to analyze the translation procedure. The thesis is divided into two major parts – the translation itself and its analysis. Arthur Demarest is considered to be one of the world’s leading experts on the Maya, he is the author of hundreds of articles and dozens of books. The book chosen for this master’s thesis is one of his newest and part of the series Case Studies in Early Societies. The book offers an in-depth overview and analysis of the Mayan civilization and is an important resource for students and scholars of related fields, such as anthropology and ethnohistory. However, it is also a great introduction of the Maya for people less familiar with the topic. The chapters chosen for this master’s thesis deal with religion, ideology and the politics of Classic Maya states.