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Maya language 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.
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Sixth annual report of the Bureau of ethnology. (1888 N 06 / 1884-1885)
"Sixth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology" by J. W. Powell is a scientific publication written in the late 19th century. This comprehensive report details the Bureau's activities and findings regarding ethnological studies, primarily focusing on North American Indian tribes during the fiscal year 1884-1885. It covers various aspects such as field work, linguistic studies, archaeological explorations, and the publications produced, providing an in-depth analysis of the cultural, linguistic, and artistic practices of Native American peoples. The opening of the report includes a letter of transmittal, along with an introduction that outlines the Bureau's ongoing research efforts among North American Indians. It describes the systematic operations related to mound explorations, linguistic fieldwork, and cultural studies undertaken across different tribes. Moreover, specific details about various assistants and their contributions to the research are highlighted, indicating a collaborative effort in documenting the languages, traditions, and artifacts of Native Americans, all of which serve as an invaluable resource for anthropologists and historians.
Cyrus Thomas
Aids to the Study of the Maya Codices Sixth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1884-85, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1888, pages 253-372
"Aids to the Study of the Maya Codices" by Cyrus Thomas is a scientific publication written in the late 19th century. The text serves as a significant resource for scholars studying Maya codices, focusing particularly on deciphering their numerals, characters, and structures. Thomas aims to advance the understanding of these complex manuscripts, highlighting their significance in American paleography. The beginning of this work establishes the author's intent to provide new insights into the Maya codices, especially concerning their numerals and symbols. Thomas emphasizes that previous attempts to decode these manuscripts based on misconceptions, especially Landa's alphabet, have proven ineffective. He discusses the history of significant documents like the Dresden Codex and outlines the challenges faced in deciphering Maya scripts. The opening portion outlines the complexities of the codices, details previous scholarly findings, and sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the numerals, their meanings, and their relevance in the broader context of Maya civilization.
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