An Introduction to the Study of the Maya Hieroglyphs

by Sylvanus Griswold Morley

"An Introduction to the Study of the Maya Hieroglyphs" by Sylvanus Griswold Morley is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. The book serves as a primer for readers interested in understanding the complex hieroglyphic writing system of the Maya civilization, focusing on the intricacies of their glyphs, calendars, and numeration. It is intended for both scholars and amateurs keen on Central American archaeology, making accessible a dense subject that has historically been challenging for those without specialized knowledge. At the start of the book, Morley discusses the significance of the Maya hieroglyphs, highlighting their status as one of the foremost intellectual achievements of pre-Columbian America. He gives historical context to the study of Maya writing, describing the early efforts by researchers to decipher these glyphs, particularly emphasizing the contributions of scholars like Ernst Förstemann and J. T. Goodman. The opening outlines the complex nature of Maya writing, which is predominantly ideographic, as well as phonetic, and details how the earliest inscriptions date back to the early centuries of the Common Era. Morley establishes a foundation for understanding the topic that will progress into more technical discussions in subsequent chapters.