Introduction : The Maya enter history -- The architectural language of the Maya: laws and techniques of the builders -- The great classic cities: Tikal, a jungle metropolis -- The golden age of Palenque: flourishing of the arts in Chiapas -- A neglected chapter of Maya art: the Río Bec and Chenes styles -- The Puuc style in Yucatán: the splendour of Uxmal's palaces -- The diversity of the Yucatec cities: palaces, arches and observatories -- The contribution of Mexico to Yucatán: Chichén Itźa, capital of the Toltec-Maya -- Conclusion : Decline and fall of the Maya civilization.