Códices Prehispánicos // Prehispanic codices

The Importance of Writing Systems

This section discusses the significance of writing systems in recording and preserving important events.

Highly Developed Writing System

• The Mayans, Aztecs, Mixtecs, Zapotecs, Otomí, and Purépechas had a highly developed writing system.

• This system allowed them to record and preserve cultural, social, economic, and scientific aspects.

• It provided insights into religious beliefs, rites, ceremonies, history, genealogies, alliances between manors, economic systems, and chronology.

Support Materials

• Priests were responsible for creating codices using materials like Amate (amatl in Nahuatl) made from the bark of the fig tree.

• Other materials used included deer skin and fibers from the maguey plant.

• Tlacuilos were skilled individuals who made the codices. They were proficient in reading, writing, and painting.

Social Status

• Tlacuilos belonged to a higher social class once they prepared the codices.

• They dedicated themselves full-time to this task but did not sign their works as they were created for the community.

• The names of pre-Hispanic Mexican artists are unknown.

Reading Codices

This section explains how codices were read and viewed by people during ancient times.

Horizontal Placement

• Codices were placed horizontally on the ground for reading.

• They were protected by mats or "petates" to prevent damage.

Viewing Experience

• Readers (tlacuilo) and listeners gathered around the codex to view it in its entirety.

• Most codices were read horizontally but could continue on the reverse side if necessary.

• Some codices could be up to 14 meters long.

Preservation and Control

• Codices were kept in places called amoxcalli, which means "book house" in Nahuatl.

• The ruling class, lords, and priests had exclusive control over the possession and handling of codices.

• This ensured the preservation and control of knowledge.

Accessibility of Codices

This section discusses who could read codices during ancient times.

Limited Writers, Many Readers

• Only Tlacuilos wrote codices, but many people could read them.

• High school graduates, state bureaucrats, and townspeople knew enough signs to decipher inscriptions on public buildings.

Survival of Codices

• Around twenty pre-Hispanic codices survived the conquest.

• Catholic bishops burned many codices as they considered them "devilish wallpapers."

• Some codices were sent as gifts to the Spanish crown, with only two remaining in Mexico and the rest in Europe.

Mayan Codices

This section focuses on Mayan codices and their themes.

Themes

• Mayan codices primarily revolve around topics related to the upper world.

• These include religion, astronomy, agricultural cycles, history, and prophecies.

• They are made using ideograms on amate paper strips that are folded like a screen into pages.

The transcript is already in English.

New Section

This section discusses topics that are unanimously recognized.

Unanimously Recognized Topics

• The transcript does not provide any specific details about the unanimously recognized topics.