🦜Mayan Civilization History Unit 6 – Mayan Writing and Calendar Systems

Key Concepts and Terms

• Logographic writing system represents words or morphemes with symbols (glyphs)
• Syllabic signs used in conjunction with logograms to spell out words phonetically
• Codices are folded bark paper books containing Mayan hieroglyphic texts on various subjects
  • Only four pre-Columbian codices have survived (Dresden Codex, Madrid Codex, Paris Codex, Grolier Codex)
• Stelae are tall stone shafts or slabs erected to commemorate important events or rulers
• Long Count calendar tracks extended periods of time using a vigesimal (base-20) system
  • Consists of five units: k'in (day), winal (20 days), tun (360 days), k'atun (7,200 days), and b'ak'tun (144,000 days)
• Haab' is the 365-day solar calendar divided into 18 months of 20 days each, plus a 5-day period (Wayeb')
• Tzolk'in is the 260-day sacred calendar combining 20 day names with 13 numbers

Historical Context

• Mayan civilization flourished in Mesoamerica from approximately 2000 BCE to 1500 CE
• Developed a sophisticated writing system used to record historical events, astronomical observations, and religious beliefs
• Writing and calendar systems evolved over time, with regional variations and influences from other Mesoamerican cultures (Olmec, Zapotec)
• Spanish conquest in the 16th century led to the destruction of many Mayan texts and suppression of indigenous knowledge
• Decipherment efforts began in the 19th century and accelerated in the 20th century, revealing the complexity and richness of Mayan writing

Mayan Writing System Basics

• Combines logographic and syllabic elements to form complex hieroglyphic texts
• Logograms represent complete words or concepts, while syllabic signs represent sounds
• Glyphs arranged in paired columns, typically read from left to right and top to bottom
  • Some texts employ a "reverse boustrophedon" format, alternating between left-to-right and right-to-left reading order
• Scribes used various media, including stone monuments, ceramics, and bark paper codices
• Writing used for a wide range of purposes, such as recording historical events, astronomical observations, and religious rituals

Types of Mayan Scripts

• Monumental inscriptions carved on stone stelae, altars, and architectural elements (lintels, stairways)
  • Commemorate important events, rulers, and dynasties
• Portable objects like ceramic vessels, shells, and bones often feature shorter hieroglyphic texts
  • Can include names of owners, artists, or dedicatory phrases
• Codices are folded bark paper books containing longer texts on various subjects (astronomy, divination, mythology)
• Graffiti and incised texts found on walls, floors, and other surfaces provide insights into informal writing practices

Decipherment and Translation

• Early attempts at decipherment hindered by the belief that Mayan writing was purely logographic and symbolic
• Breakthrough in the 1950s by Yuri Knorozov, who demonstrated the presence of phonetic elements in Mayan script
• Decipherment accelerated in the 1970s and 1980s, with major contributions from scholars like Linda Schele and David Stuart
  • Phonetic readings of glyphs confirmed through linguistic analysis and comparison with modern Mayan languages
• Ongoing work focuses on refining translations, identifying regional variations, and exploring the nuances of Mayan literary traditions

Mayan Calendar Systems

• Long Count calendar tracks extended periods using five vigesimal units: k'in (day), winal (20 days), tun (360 days), k'atun (7,200 days), and b'ak'tun (144,000 days)
  • Dates recorded as a series of numbers, e.g., 9.12.2.0.16 represents 9 b'ak'tuns, 12 k'atuns, 2 tuns, 0 winals, and 16 k'ins
• Haab' is a 365-day solar calendar divided into 18 months of 20 days each, plus a 5-day period called Wayeb'
  • Used for agricultural and seasonal cycles
• Tzolk'in is a 260-day sacred calendar combining 20 named days with 13 numbers (1-13)
  • Each day has a unique combination of name and number, e.g., 1 Imix, 2 Ik', 3 Ak'b'al
• Calendar Round is the 52-year cycle formed by the combination of the Haab' and Tzolk'in calendars ($52 \times 365 = 73 \times 260 = 18,980$ days)

Cultural Significance and Use

• Calendars played a central role in Mayan society, guiding agricultural, religious, and political activities
• Long Count used to record historical events and establish chronologies of rulers and dynasties
• Tzolk'in used for divination, ritual planning, and personal identity (birth dates)
  • Each day associated with specific deities, animals, and natural phenomena
• Haab' tracked seasonal cycles and guided agricultural practices (planting, harvesting)
• Calendar Round used to plan major ceremonies and mark important milestones in the life of a community

Modern Applications and Relevance

• Mayan writing and calendar systems provide invaluable insights into the civilization's history, beliefs, and achievements
• Decipherment has revealed the names and deeds of rulers, the structure of Mayan society, and the richness of their literary traditions
• Calendar systems demonstrate the Mayans' advanced understanding of astronomy and mathematics
  • Long Count used to track celestial events like the Venus cycle and solar eclipses
• Mayan languages and cultural practices continue to thrive in contemporary communities, with efforts to preserve and revitalize linguistic and artistic traditions
• Study of Mayan writing and calendars fosters cross-cultural understanding and appreciation for indigenous knowledge systems