Evidence indicating that several multiyear droughts may have been the major factor in the puzzling collapse of the ancient Maya civilization is one of many topics explored in a new book by Dr. Walter Witschey, research professor of anthropology and geography at Longwood University.

Witschey, an expert on ancient Maya culture, is the editor of the Encyclopedia of the Ancient Maya, a reference book targeted mainly for college and high school libraries, and those interested in the Maya culture. He wrote about one-third of the book, which features more than 200 entries by about 80 researchers, and edited the balance.

“Many of the articles summarize new material about recently discovered sites,” said Witschey. “Other articles, such as one on LiDAR, help explain how we learn what we know about the ancient Maya. LiDAR is an aerial remote-sensing technology that enables Maya researchers to produce incredibly detailed terrain maps of ancient sites, even in areas of dense jungle.”

The 574-page hardback and ebook versions, published in late December by Rowman & Littlefield, features other information about the ancient Maya culture from around 1000 B.C. to the Spanish Conquest after A.D. 1600.

The ancient Maya have fascinated Witschey since, at age 10, he read “God, Graves, and Scholars,” a popular history of archaeology by German writer C.W. Ceram. “I was fascinated by the lost cities in the jungle,” he said.

Witschey taught at Longwood from 2007, when he joined the faculty as a professor of anthropology and science education, through spring 2014. He currently serves as research professor of anthropology and geography. “I’m now trying to retire one day at a time,” he said.