Wikipedia Trail: From Maya Script to the Cascajal Block
While preparing for the next story in my project, I decided to spend some time learning more about what we already know regarding New World writing systems. I started originally with Maya Script, and couldn't believe how many ways there are to write a single word. Here's an example using the simple noun "jaguar."
Mayan Logograms, Wikimedia Commons
As many words could have more than one meaning, being able to "spell out" the word in question using individual phonetics could serve to distinguish the nature of the word itself and lending targeted context. The historical origin of Maya script is still disputed, with some claiming Mayans could be the inventors of writing in Mesoamerica while others argue descent from the Olmec culture is the only possible source.
The Mayan word B'alam "jaguar"with the logogram b'alam and the phonetic complement b'a.
The Mayan word B'alam "jaguar" with the logogram b'alam and the phonetic complement ma.
The Mayan word B'alam "jaguar" with the logogram b'alam and the phonetic complements b'a and ma.
Mayan Logograms, Wikimedia Commons
As many words could have more than one meaning, being able to "spell out" the word in question using individual phonetics could serve to distinguish the nature of the word itself and lending targeted context. The historical origin of Maya script is still disputed, with some claiming Mayans could be the inventors of writing in Mesoamerica while others argue descent from the Olmec culture is the only possible source.
Isthmian Script is dated very close to the Olmecs, with artifacts dated between 500 BCE to 500 CE and clearly descendants of the Olmec writing systems. The Olmecs occupied areas of south-central Mexico from about 1500 to 400 BCE, and boy did they go big on their art! Check out this enormous statue!
However, the real treasure of this Wikipedia trail is the Cascajal Block, a discovery responsible for the puzzlement of archaeologists, graphologists, and anthropologists alike. Speculation abounds regarding the placement and meaning of each of the 63 glyphs etched into this stone, dated at 900 BCE, prior to any known writing development within the new world.
However, the real treasure of this Wikipedia trail is the Cascajal Block, a discovery responsible for the puzzlement of archaeologists, graphologists, and anthropologists alike. Speculation abounds regarding the placement and meaning of each of the 63 glyphs etched into this stone, dated at 900 BCE, prior to any known writing development within the new world.
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