Description Introduction The Maya 1. Things Lost and Things Found Again 2. The Writing System of the Maya 3. Maya Thought, Time, and Beliefs 4. Daily Life of the Maya A Mysterious Journey Through Ancient Civilizations, Brought to Life with Vivid National Geographic Photographs "Why Did the Land Made of Gold Disappear?" is a historical adventure book that leads young readers into the mysteries of ancient civilizations—mysteries that remain unsolved even today. It tells the story of the golden empires that vanished in an instant, including the Maya, Inca, and Aztec civilizations, along with other mysterious ancient cultures, all illustrated with stunning photographs provided by National Geographic. The greatest strength of this book is that it completely dispels the notion that history is a difficult and dry subject. It presents history as a 'treasure chest of old stories,' told in a way that captures children's interest through engaging, story-like narration tailored to their level of understanding. Furthermore, the National Geographic photographs, captured by some of the world's top experts, actively support and enrich the reader's understanding of the text. The wonderful synergy between the engaging stories and vivid photographs helps children naturally understand vanished ancient civilizations, while also realizing why history is truly a 'window into the future.' History Is a Magical Bundle Full of Old Stories Most children find history difficult. This is because they see it as a subject requiring memorization—dates, events, and the names of historical figures that must be remembered with precision. But history is not a subject for rote memorization. More than any other subject, it requires understanding first and foremost. "Why Did the Land Made of Gold Disappear?" is a book about vanished ancient civilizations, presenting history through storytelling tailored to children's perspectives. Understanding history is like understanding the flow of a story with its own beginning, middle, and end. This book, in particular, will show children that history isn't a difficult subject at all—but rather a magical bundle overflowing with countless fascinating old stories waiting to be discovered.