How to read Maya hieroglyphs

Abstract

The ancient Maya civilization of Mesoamerica was one of five in the history of the world to invent an original, functional writing. Maya scribes documented in hieroglyphic script the chronicles of their rulers, the passage of time, and the history of their civilization. The collapse of the Maya world around 900 A.D. and later, the Spanish conquest of Central America, left no individuals remaining who could read the glyphs. Now after two centuries of intensive questions, debate and research by experts and novices alike, the script has been almost fully recovered. This is the first comprehensive guide to deciphering the hieroglyphic script of the ancient Maya. Leading the reader step-by-step through the writing system, all of the information necessary to learn the script is contained here, including explanations of the sophisticated Maya calendars, mathematical system, and astronomical content. This is a complete outline of the writing, teaching not only the signs and their meanings, but also the grammar of Maya hieroglyphs Each feature is presented graphically, along with charts, diagrams and maps by the author. Individual texts are broken down structurally and each component is analyzed. The fascinating history of the script's decipherment and its contributors is also described, providing the context for one of the most significant historical discoveries of the twentieth century. Serving as both an introduction to the script and a convenient reference to its basic features and symbols, this book is designed for both amateurs and professionals, including travelers to the Maya area, general readers, hieroglyphic workshops and research libraries.