The Mixtec-Codices are a collection of screenfold manuscripts created by the Mixtec civilization of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. These documents, painted on long strips of Amatl (bark paper) or animal hide, were folded accordion-style, with pages often painted on both sides. Here is a detailed look at these significant artifacts:
Historical Context
The Mixtec civilization, known for their advanced metallurgy and sophisticated writing system, thrived in what is now the Mexican states of Oaxaca, Puebla, and Guerrero. Their codices provide invaluable insight into their culture, history, religious practices, and genealogies. These works were created primarily during the Postclassic period (900-1521 AD) but include some elements from earlier times.
Content and Purpose
- Genealogy: Many codices focus on the lineage of rulers, detailing their marriages, offspring, and significant events in their lives. The Codex Bodley is a prime example, illustrating the history of royal dynasties.
- Historical Narratives: They document conquests, migrations, and important events. For instance, the Codex Zouche-Nuttall records the history of several rulers and their conquests.
- Religious Practices: Codices contain information about deities, rituals, and the calendar system. The Codex Vindobonensis includes religious imagery and calendar cycles.
- Astronomical Information: Some codices also depict astronomical phenomena, which were crucial for agricultural planning and religious ceremonies.
Artistic Style
The art in Mixtec codices is characterized by:
- Vibrant colors, often using natural pigments like cochineal for red.
- Detailed line drawings representing figures, symbols, and glyphs.
- Use of a day sign system to denote dates, similar to that of the Aztec Calendar.
- Elaborate iconography with symbolic representations of events, deities, and individuals.
Survival and Preservation
After the Spanish conquest, many codices were destroyed as part of the effort to eradicate indigenous beliefs. However, some were preserved by:
- Spanish clergy who collected them as curiosities or for linguistic studies.
- Local indigenous communities who hid them or incorporated them into their Christian practices.
- European collectors who acquired them through various means, often without understanding their full cultural significance.
Today, these codices are housed in various institutions around the world, with significant collections in:
Research and Modern Interpretation
Contemporary scholars continue to study the Mixtec-Codices for insights into:
- Indigenous perspectives on history.
- Artistic and literary traditions.
- Social structures and political systems.
- Intercultural interactions between different Mesoamerican groups.
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