Maya Script

The Americas’ only fully developed ancient writing, cracked in the 20th century after colonial book-burnings.

Core Principles & Analysis

• It mixes word-signs with syllable-signs, often offering several ways to spell one word.
• Bishop Landa burned the codices; only four pre-conquest Maya books survive.
• Knorozov’s syllabic breakthrough and Proskouriakoff’s historical readings finally unlocked it.

Specifications & Metrics

• TYPE: Logosyllabic