Writing of the Americas
Ancient writing in the Americas, including the Maya, Aztec, and Incan civilizations, has a long established history, including carvings on stone, leather, paper, and in the mysterious knots on a string.
Ancient Mesoamerican Writing
From GBOnline, an index to the codices of ancient writing systems of central America.
From GBOnline, an index to the codices of ancient writing systems of central America.
Cracking the Khipu Code: Deciphering the Ancient Incan Writing System
In an August 2005 article in Science magazine, researchers Gary Urton and Carrie Brezine report on the early successes of the Khipu Database Project, in which they believe they have deciphered an accounting method used by the Inca civilization to maintain control over its farflung empire.
In an August 2005 article in Science magazine, researchers Gary Urton and Carrie Brezine report on the early successes of the Khipu Database Project, in which they believe they have deciphered an accounting method used by the Inca civilization to maintain control over its farflung empire.
History of the Maya Codices
From FAMSI, another fabulous website, this one by Randa Marhenke on the history of the Maya Codices, and including downloadable pdf files of the codices themselves.
From FAMSI, another fabulous website, this one by Randa Marhenke on the history of the Maya Codices, and including downloadable pdf files of the codices themselves.
Knotty Problems: the Ancient Writing System of the Inca
The ancient Inca empire ruled much of South America when the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the 16th century AD, and they did it all without a written language. But did they?
The ancient Inca empire ruled much of South America when the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the 16th century AD, and they did it all without a written language. But did they?
Lakota Winter Counts
This wonderful on-line exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution is an introduction to the historical records of the Lakota (or Teton) Sioux, who maintained a record of past events in pictures and text on buffalo hide called 'winter counts'. Flash and html versions.
This wonderful on-line exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution is an introduction to the historical records of the Lakota (or Teton) Sioux, who maintained a record of past events in pictures and text on buffalo hide called 'winter counts'. Flash and html versions.
Maguey Plan - Aztec City Map of the 16th Century
The Maguey Plan (Plano en papel de maguey) is the name of a 16th century map of part of a city within the Aztec empire, drawn on paper made of maguey (or agave).
The Maguey Plan (Plano en papel de maguey) is the name of a 16th century map of part of a city within the Aztec empire, drawn on paper made of maguey (or agave).
Maya Codices
There are three surviving Maya codices known in the world: Dresden, Madrid, and Paris, named because that's where the codices ended up, in museums in those cities.
There are three surviving Maya codices known in the world: Dresden, Madrid, and Paris, named because that's where the codices ended up, in museums in those cities.
Nahuatl
Nahuatl is the language of the ancient Mexican people, the Aztecs, and is still spoken in areas of Mexico
Nahuatl is the language of the ancient Mexican people, the Aztecs, and is still spoken in areas of Mexico
Narrative Threads
Narrative Threads is a terrific collection of articles edited by Jeffrey Quilter and Gary Urton on translating the ancient Inka communication system called the quipu.
Narrative Threads is a terrific collection of articles edited by Jeffrey Quilter and Gary Urton on translating the ancient Inka communication system called the quipu.
Quipu (Khipu, Quipo) - Ancient Writing System of the Incas Quipu
The quipu (also spelled khipu or quipo) is the only known precolumbian writing system in South America.
The quipu (also spelled khipu or quipo) is the only known precolumbian writing system in South America.
South America's Oldest Writing System: Ancient Quipu Found at Caral
Archaeological evidence of quipu recovered from an archaeological site belonging to the ancient civilization of Caral in coastal Peru has the potential to rewrite the history of human civilization on planet earth.
Archaeological evidence of quipu recovered from an archaeological site belonging to the ancient civilization of Caral in coastal Peru has the potential to rewrite the history of human civilization on planet earth.