Ancient American expert Dr. Rex Koontz will explore "What the Ancient Maya and Mexican Writing Tell Us About History" during his lecture on February 11 at noon as part of Lone Star College-Montgomery's Lyceum Speakers Series.
Dr. Koontz, who serves as director of the chief laboratory of the visual arts, as well as professor of fine arts at the University of Houston, will also be featured at an 11:30 a.m. reception that same day just prior to his presentation. The reception and lecture will take place in the Music Hall (Building H), on the LSC-Montgomery campus.
His presentation will focus on the growing body of historical information in various Ancient American writing systems. Long before the Aztec, the Maya and others were writing their histories. What do these writings tell us about Ancient Maya and Mexican history before the coming of the Spanish? How are these writings deciphered? What were the ancients interested in recording? Dr. Koontz will cover this and more – possibly even helping the audience decipher a page from an ancient manuscript.
In addition to doing field work in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras, Dr. Koontz is the author of several publications, including Lightening Gods and Feathered Serpents, Public Sculpture of El Tajin, and Blood and Beauty: Organized Violence in the Art and Archeology of Mesoamerican and Central America (edited with Heather Orr).
Dr. Koontz's lecture is presented as part of LSC-Montgomery’s Lyceum Speaker Series, which provides a variety of free presentations throughout the fall and spring semesters based on sociological, historical, economical, political, psychological, and spiritual views. All students, staff, and faculty, as well as community members, are invited to attend any Lyceum event throughout the year. For more information, visit www.LoneStar.edu/Lyceum-Montgomery.
LSC-Montgomery is located at 3200 College Park Drive, one–half mile west of Interstate 45, between Conroe and The Woodlands. For more information about the college, call 936.273.7000, or visit www.LoneStar.edu/montgomery.
Lone Star College System has been opening doors to a better community for 40 years. Founded in 1973, LSCS remains steadfast in its commitment to student success and credential completion. Today, with 78,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and the fastest-growing community college system in the nation. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of six colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball and LSC-University Park, five centers, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.