Animal figures in the Maya codices (Plate 27) BHL41003968

The Maya Codices are ancient manuscripts created by the Maya civilisation of Mesoamerica. These codices were written on bark paper and contain a wealth of information about Mayan culture, history, religion and astronomy. There are only four Maya codices known to exist today: 1. The Dresden Codex: This is the most complete and famous Mayan codex. It contains information on astronomy, astrology, rituals and divination. It also contains a series of tables relating to the cycles of Venus and the Mayan calendar. 2. Codex of Madrid: Also known as the Tro-Cortesianus Codex, this codex focuses on astrology and rituals related to the rain god Chaac. It provides information on the Mayan calendar, lunar cycles and agricultural practices. 3. Codex of Paris: This codex is fragmented and incomplete, but contains astronomical and calendrical information. It also contains rituals and ceremonies related to Mayan gods and deities. 4. Grolier Codex: Discovered in the 1960s, this codex is the smallest and most recently discovered of the four. It contains information about rituals, deities and a possible creation story. These codices were highly prized by the Mayan civilisation and were considered sacred texts. Unfortunately, many other codices were destroyed during the Spanish conquest of the Americas in the 16th century, as they were considered pagan and heretical by the Spanish colonisers. The surviving codices are therefore invaluable sources of knowledge about Mayan civilisation.