An in-depth exploration of the history, authentication, and modern relevance of Códice Maya de México, the oldest surviving book of the Americas. Ancient Maya scribes recorded prophecies and astronomical observations on the pages of painted books. Although most were lost to decay or destruction, three pre-Hispanic Maya codices were known to have survived, when, in the 1960s, a fourth book that differed from the others appeared in Mexico under mysterious circumstances. After fifty years of debate over its authenticity, recent investigations using cutting-edge scientific and art historical analyses determined that Códice Maya de México (formerly known as Grolier Codex) is in fact the oldest surviving book of the Americas, predating all others by at least two hundred years. This volume provides a multifaceted introduction to the creation, discovery, interpretation, and scientific authentication of Códice Maya de México. In addition, a full-color facsimile and a page-by-page guide to the iconography make the codex accessible to a wide audience. Additional topics include the uses and importance of sacred books in Mesoamerica, the role of astronomy in ancient Maya societies, and the codex's continued relevance to contemporary Maya communities. This volume is published to accompany an exhibition on view at the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center from October 18, 2022, to January 15, 2023.

This volume offers new calendrical models and methodologies for reading, dating, and interpreting the general significance of the Madrid Codex. The longest of the surviving Maya codices, this manuscript includes texts and images painted by scribes conversant in Maya hieroglyphic writing, a written means of communication practiced by Maya elites from the second to the fifteenth centuries A.D. Some scholars have recently argued that the Madrid Codex originated in the Petén region of Guatemala and postdates European contact. The contributors to this volume challenge that view by demonstrating convincingly that it originated in northern Yucatán and was painted in the Pre-Columbian era. In addition, several contributors reveal provocative connections among the Madrid and Borgia group of codices from Central Mexico. Contributors include: Harvey M. Bricker, Victoria R. Bricker, John F. Chuchiak IV, Christine L. Hernández, Bryan R. Just, Merideth Paxton, and John Pohl. Additional support for this publication was generously provided by the Eugene M. Kayden Fund at the University of Colorado.

In 'Animal Figures in the Maya Codices,' readers are afforded a meticulous exploration into the rich tapestry of Mesoamerican literary tradition, with a keen focus on the depiction and symbolism of animals within Maya literature. The collection stands as a paramount anthology that delves into the diverse literary styles and themes prevalent in Pre-Columbian texts, highlighting the profound relationship between the Maya civilization and their natural environment. This anthology is marked by its comprehensive coverage and the significant intricacies of animal symbolism in Maya culture, drawing on the expansive knowledge and interpretative skills of its editors to illuminate this aspect of Maya literature. The editors, Alfred M. Tozzer and Glover M. Allen, bring to the collection a wealth of expertise in anthropology and zoology respectively, harmonizing their interdisciplinary approaches to decode the complex symbolism embedded in the codices. Their backgrounds are instrumental in shedding light on the intertwined nature of cultural and biological narratives within Maya society, situating the anthology at the confluence of historical, cultural, and literary movements. This collaboration enriches the anthology, broadening our comprehension of ancient Maya thought and the role of animals in their cosmology. This anthology is an exemplary resource for both enthusiasts and scholars of Mesoamerican studies, offering a singular opportunity to immerse in the multifaceted narrative of Maya literary and cultural traditions. Readers are invited to traverse the symbolic and literal landscapes portrayed in the codices, gaining unique insights into the environmental and spiritual ethos of the ancient Maya. 'Animal Figures in the Maya Codices' does not only serve as a testament to the sophisticated symbology of an ancient civilization but also as a bridge connecting the past with contemporary inquiries into the human-animal relationship and the wider natural world.

Other sections cover weather almanacs; the influence of God C, also known as k'u; the four yearbearers with their thirteen numbers; the Maya spirit entities, including sky gods and earth or death gods; and the Maya constellations.

Reproduction of the original.