December 9, 2023 Dr. Mark Van Stone: Discussion of his latest book, Maya Mold Made.
Maya Mold Made examines a collection of 208 ancient clay figurine molds now in the collection of La Ruta Maya Foundation in Guatemala. These figurines from the late Maya Classic period (ca. AD 730-830) were once employed in the mass-manufacture of musical figurines for ceremonial use.
Mark Van Stone received his undergraduate degree in Physics in 1973 and worked in the Gamma-Ray Astronomy Laboratory at the University of New Hampshire, and later as a clay-animator at Will Vinton Studios. As a lifelong student of calligraphy, a Guggenheim Fellowship (1988-89) took him around the world, studying manuscripts and inscriptions of all nations. In 1984 he began to focus on Maya Hieroglyphs, in which he earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas in 2005. During this time, he co-authored Reading the Maya Glyphs (RMG) with archaeologist Michael Coe – the standard introduction to the topic. With epigrapher Barbara MacLeod, Mark is presently producing a totally new edition of RMG, to be published in German and Spanish. In 2010 he published 2012 – Science and Prophecy of the Ancient Maya. He is currently Professor of Art History at Southwestern College. The College has also hired him to design hieroglyphic inscriptions to adorn their new buildings.
The talk was recorded, and is available for members at Meeting Archives.