What Is a Maya Codex and How Many Are There

Codex refers to an old type of book made with pages bound together (as opposed to a scroll). Only 3 or 4 of these hand-painted hieroglyphic codices from the Post-classical Maya remain, thanks to environmental factors and zealous purging by 16th-century clergy. The codices are long strips of folded accordion-style, creating pages about 10x23 cm. They were probably made from the inner bark of fig trees coated with lime and then written on with ink and brushes. The text on them is short and needs more study. It appears to describe astronomy, almanacs, ceremonies, and prophecies. Why Is It 3 or 4? There are three Maya Codices named for the places they are currently located, Madrid, Dresden, and Paris. The fourth, possibly a fake, is named for the place it was first shown, the Grolier Club of New York City. The Grolier Codex was discovered in Mexico in 1965, by Dr. Josà © Saenz. In contrast, the Dresden Codex was acquired from a private individual in 1739. Dresden Codex Unfortunately, the Dresden Codex suffered (especially, water) damage during the Second World War. However, before then, copies were made that continue to be of use. Ernst Fà ¶rstemann published photochromolithographic editions twice, in 1880 and 1892. You can download a copy of this as PDF from the FAMSI website. Also, see the Dresden Codex picture accompanying this article. The Madrid Codex The 56-page Madrid Codex, written in front, and back, was split into two pieces and kept separate until 1880 when Là ©on de Rosny realized they belonged together. The Madrid Codex is also called Tro-Cortesianus. It is now in the Museo de Amà ©rica, in Madrid, Spain. Brasseur de Bourbourg made a chromolithographic rendition of it. FAMSI provides a PDF of the Madrid Codex. The Paris Codex The Bibliothà ¨que Impà ©riale acquired the 22-page Paris Codex in 1832. Là ©on de Rosny is said to have discovered the Paris Codex in a corner of the Bibliothà ¨que Nationale in Paris in 1859, after which the Paris Codex made the news. It is called the Pà ©rez Codex and the Maya-Tzental Codex, but the preferred names are the Paris Codex and Codex Peresianus. A PDF showing photographs of the Paris Codex is also available courtesy of FAMSI. Source: Information comes from the FAMSI site: The Ancient Codices. FAMSI stands for Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies, Inc.