The Aztec codices are manuscript books produced in the pre-Columbian and early colonial era by the Aztecs of Mexico. These documents are critical sources for understanding the culture, history, religion, and daily life of the Mesoamerican civilizations, especially the Aztecs.
The Aztecs used codices for various purposes, from recording historical events to maintaining legal documents, genealogies, tribute records, and religious texts. These codices were typically painted on long strips of paper made from Amatl (bark paper) or deerskin, which were then folded into accordion-like books or sometimes rolled up like scrolls.
The practice of creating codices was deeply rooted in Mesoamerican culture, predating the Aztecs. With the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, many codices were either destroyed due to their perceived pagan content or adapted to include European elements. Some codices were even created by indigenous artists under the direction of Spanish friars to document native history and culture for the conquerors.
The pictorial writing in Aztec codices includes both glyphs and images. The style is characterized by:
Very few codices survived the Spanish conquest. Those that remain are mostly kept in European libraries or museums, with notable collections in:
The study of Aztec codices is vital for:
External links for further reading: