The Códice Maya de México: Insights into Mesoamerican Astronomy

These flashcards cover key concepts and terms related to the Códice Maya de México, its historical context, and its significance in Mesoamerican culture and astronomy.

Códice Maya de México

The oldest book ever found in the Americas, made between the 11th and 12th centuries.

Mesoamerican books

Historical books created by ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, of which very few have survived due to environmental damage and colonization.

Spanish invasions

The conquests by Spanish explorers and conquistadors in the early 16th century that led to the destruction of many indigenous cultures and their written records.

Maya blue

An exotic and rare dye used by the Maya, known for its vibrant color and costly sourcing.

Glyphs

Sybols used in Maya writing representing sounds, words, or ideas, commonly found in their codices.

Venus cycle

The 584-day cycle of the planet Venus, which was of great importance to the Maya civilization for its calendrical and ritual significance.

K'awiil

A Maya deity associated with lightning and rulership, often depicted in connection with themes of power and warfare.

Cohchineal

An insect used by the Maya to produce red dye, which was not local to their area.

Prognostication

The action of predicting future events based on observations, particularly applied in the context of the Maya calendar and astronomical phenomena.

Mesoamerican bookmaking

The traditional practices used by ancient Mesoamerican cultures to create books, which often differ significantly from modern bookbinding techniques.