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Maya calendar Books
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Sylvanus Griswold Morley
An Introduction to the Study of the Maya Hieroglyphs
"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.
Ernst Wilhelm Förstemann
Commentary on the Maya Manuscript in the Royal Public Library of Dresden
"Commentary on the Maya Manuscript in the Royal Public Library of Dresden" by Dr. Ernst Förstemann is a scholarly archaeological work published in the early 20th century. This academic publication focuses on analyzing and interpreting the Dresden Codex, one of the few surviving pre-Columbian Maya texts, which is notable for its intricate hieroglyphic writing and complex calendar systems. The book aims to consolidate fragmented knowledge about Maya hieroglyphs, presenting findings on their implications for understanding Maya culture, rituals, and history. The opening of this work sets the stage for a detailed commentary on the Dresden Codex, which is structured in a way that combines text and illustrative hieroglyphs. Förstemann emphasizes that the manuscript's first pages are partially damaged, limiting full comprehension but indicating that they contain vital information about a calendar system known as the Tonalamatl. In these initial sections, he recounts how the pages outline ceremonial practices, including human sacrifices depicted alongside various deities, shedding light on the cultural significance of these rites. The text invites students and researchers to compare these observations with the actual manuscript to fully grasp the content and context, thereby serving both as a guide and a reference point for ongoing Maya research.
Cyrus Thomas
Day Symbols of the Maya Year Sixteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1894-1895, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1897, pages 199-266.
"Day Symbols of the Maya Year" by Cyrus Thomas is a scholarly analysis written in the late 19th century. This work focuses on the Maya calendar, specifically exploring the significance and characteristics of the day symbols used in this ancient timekeeping system. The book delves into linguistic, historical, and cultural aspects of the Maya civilization, making it a crucial resource for understanding their calendrical practices and cosmology. The beginning of the text introduces the scope of the study, noting that the author presents findings on the names and symbols of the days in the Maya calendar. It emphasizes the current academic discourse surrounding the phonetic and symbolic interpretations of these glyphs, acknowledging the work of scholars like Drs. Seler and Brinton. Thomas clarifies his position on the representation of phonetic elements within these symbols and how they may relate to traditional concepts in Maya mythology and spirituality. This establishes a foundation for the subsequent detailed examination of the specific day symbols, starting with the first day, which is systematically analyzed, including its variations across different dialects and its phonetic attributes.
Cyrus Thomas
Notes on Certain Maya and Mexican Manuscripts Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1881-82, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1884, pages 3-66
"Notes on Certain Maya and Mexican Manuscripts" by Cyrus Thomas is a historical and ethnological study written in the late 19th century. This work delves into the examination of various ancient Maya and Mexican manuscripts, focusing on their symbolism and calendrical systems. Thomas analyzes significant plates from the Codex Cortesianus and the Borgian Codex, seeking to bridge connections between the Maya and Mexican cultures through the understanding of their written records. At the start of the text, the author introduces the significance of the "Tableau des Bacab," derived from the Codex Cortesianus, noting its importance for understanding the relationship between Maya and Mexican symbols. He discusses the representation of the gods of the four cardinal points, looking to validate the findings of fellow researchers. Thomas emphasizes the necessity of interpreting the intricate arrangement of characters and symbols found in these manuscripts, which he argues are essential for grasping the broader context of ancient Mesoamerican beliefs and practices. This opening portion sets the stage for a detailed analysis of the complex connections between the interpretative methodologies applied to these historical texts.
Charles P. (Charles Pickering) Bowditch
Mayan Nomenclature
"Mayan Nomenclature" by Charles P. Bowditch is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. The book delves into the complex numeral system used by the Maya civilization, specifically focusing on their methods of counting time and the specific terminology employed in their calendrical practices. In this work, Bowditch meticulously analyzes the Maya calendar systems, particularly the distinctions between various periods such as "katun," "tun," and "ahau." He challenges previous interpretations of these terms, providing evidence from ancient texts and inscriptions, primarily the Books of Chilan Balam, to argue against common misconceptions. Bowditch elaborates on the importance of a 360-day period called "tun" and how it relates to the larger period of "katun." His investigation offers insights into how the Maya conceptualized time, highlighting their numerical framework that incorporates a unique vigesimal (base-20) structure for specific periods while revealing inconsistencies in previous scholarly interpretations. Overall, Bowditch’s work serves as both a critical discourse on Maya nomenclature and a vital resource for understanding Maya timekeeping practices.
Daniel G. (Daniel Garrison) Brinton
The Books of Chilan Balam: The Prophetic and Historic Records of the Mayas of Yucatan
"The Books of Chilan Balam: The Prophetic and Historic Records of the Mayas of Yucatan" by Daniel G. Brinton is a scholarly historical publication originally presented in the late 19th century. This work examines a collection of Maya texts known as the "Books of Chilan Balam," which are significant artifacts of Maya literature that narrate aspects of ancient Maya civilization, including prophecy, history, medicine, and the impact of European colonization. The book chronicles how these texts, written in the aftermath of the Spanish conquest, serve as vital pieces of evidence regarding Maya culture and beliefs. Brinton explains the structure and content of the books, highlighting four main categories: astrological and prophetic texts, chronicles of ancient history, medical recipes, and Christian teachings. He emphasizes their linguistic and cultural importance, providing insights into the Maya's understanding of time, medicine, and their historical experiences. Brinton also discusses the challenges faced by these records due to the destruction of many original texts, ultimately asserting the richness and significance of the existing "Books of Chilan Balam" for understanding the Maya heritage.
Charles P. (Charles Pickering) Bowditch
Was the Beginning Day of the Maya Month Numbered Zero (or Twenty) or One?
"Was the Beginning Day of the Maya Month Numbered Zero (or Twenty) or One?" by Charles P. Bowditch is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. This book delves into the complexities of the Maya calendar system, particularly focusing on the counting methods used to label the beginning days of their months. It examines whether the Mayans designated the initial day of the month as Day 0, 20, or 1, aiming to clarify a long-standing debate among scholars. In this detailed analysis, Bowditch reviews evidence from the Dresden Codex and various inscriptions to explore the Maya's counting methodology. He presents arguments supporting Goodman's theory that the Maya month began with Day 0 or 20, rather than Day 1. By referencing specific examples and calculations from the codex, Bowditch concludes that the evidence leans towards the understanding that the Maya designated their month beginnings as Day 0, effectively creating a framework in which days were counted from zero to nineteen within each month.
Charles P. (Charles Pickering) Bowditch
Memoranda on the Maya Calendars Used in the Books of Chilan Balam
"Memoranda on the Maya Calendars Used in the Books of Chilan Balam" by Charles P. Bowditch is a scholarly publication written in the early 20th century. The book delves into the intricacies of the Maya calendar systems referenced in the historical texts known as the Books of Chilan Balam. It explores the calendrical calculations and methods used by the Maya civilization and compares them to other dating systems, aiming to clarify and enhance understanding of historical timelines and significant events within the Maya culture. In this work, Bowditch meticulously examines various passages from the Books of Chilan Balam, such as the referenced death of Ahpula in 1536, highlighting discrepancies in calendrical calculations and various methodologies for counting time. He discusses the concept of the katun, its possible lengths, and the significance of corresponding dates in the inscriptions found at archaeological sites like Copan and Quirigua. The book is a detailed analysis that seeks to reconcile different interpretations of Maya timekeeping and provides insights into the historical context of the Maya civilization, showcasing Bowditch's dedication to understanding their complex system of calendars and its implications on the timeline of their history.
Charles P. (Charles Pickering) Bowditch
On the Age of Maya Ruins
"On the Age of Maya Ruins" by Charles P. Bowditch is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. The book discusses the historical dating of Mayan ruins, focusing on an inscription discovered in Chichen Itza and how it relates to the chronology of other ancient Mayan cities. Bowditch aims to establish the relative ages of these ruins using various glyphs and dates found in the region. In this work, Bowditch presents a detailed analysis of the Initial Series of glyphs from the Chichen Itza inscription, comparing it with known dates from other ruined cities such as Piedras Negras, Copan, Quirigua, and Palenque. He meticulously calculates and discusses the implications of these dates, speculating about the contemporaneity of various Mayan cities and their historical contexts. His findings suggest that these cities flourished simultaneously for certain periods, offering insights into the migratory patterns and history of the Mayan civilization, while emphasizing the importance of further investigation into the region's archaeological record.
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