Codice Maya de Mexico: Understanding the Oldest Surviving Book of the Americas

Codice Maya de Mexico is the oldest surviving book of the Americas, predating all others by at least two hundred years. It contains prophecies and astronomical observations and is accessible to a wide audience with a full-color facsimile and page-by-page guide. The codex's uses and importance in Mesoamerica, astronomy, and contemporary Maya communities are explored in this volume, which accompanies an exhibition at the J. Paul Getty Museum.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 25 October 2022
Publisher: Getty Trust Publications

The Codice Maya de Mexico, the oldest surviving book of the Americas, holds a rich history and significance. Ancient Maya scribes inscribed prophecies and astronomical observations on the pages of painted books, which were later lost to decay or destruction. However, three pre-Hispanic Maya codices survived, including the Codice Maya de Mexico, which was discovered in Mexico in the 1960s. Its authenticity was debated for fifty years, but recent scientific and art historical analyses have confirmed its age, predating all other known books of the Americas by at least two hundred years. This volume offers a comprehensive exploration of the Codice Maya de Mexico, including its creation, discovery, interpretation, and scientific authentication. It features a full-color facsimile and a page-by-page guide to the codex's iconography, making it accessible to a wide audience. Additionally, it delves into the uses and importance of sacred books in Mesoamerica, the role of astronomy in ancient Maya societies, and the codex's continued relevance to contemporary Maya communities. The Codice Maya de Mexico is on display at the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center in Los Angeles from October 18, 2022, to January 15, 2023, as part of an exhibition that sheds light on its historical and cultural significance.

Weight: 342g
Dimension: 153 x 233 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781606067888