Re-creating primordial time: foundation rituals and mythology in the postclassic Maya codices

This book offers a new perspective on the Maya codices, documenting the extensive use of creation mythology and foundational rituals in the hieroglyphic texts and iconography of these important manuscripts. Focusing on both pre-Columbian codices and early colonial creation accounts, the authors show that in spite of significant cultural change during the Postclassic and Colonial periods, the mythological traditions reveal significant continuity, beginning as far back as the Classic period. Remarkable similarities exist within the Maya tradition, even as new mythologies were introduced through contact with the Gulf Coast region and highland central Mexico. The authors analyze the extant Maya codices within the context of later literary sources such as the Books of Chilam Balam, the Popol Vuh, and the Codice Chimalpopoca to present numerous examples highlighting the relationship among creation mythology, rituals, and lore. Compiling and comparing Maya creation mythology with that of the Borgia codices from highland central Mexico, this book is a significant contribution to the field of Mesoamerican studies and will be of interest to scholars of archaeology, linguistics, epigraphy, and comparative religions alike. --

Preface : The Conceptual and Methodological Underpinnings of Our Study -- 1. Introduction to the Maya Codices -- Appendix 1.1. The 260-Day Ritual Calendar (Tzolk'in) -- 2. Mexican Codices and Mythological Traditions -- 3. Mythological Episodes Related in Maya Sources -- Appendix 3.1. Maya Deities and Supernaturals -- Appendix 3.2. Chilam Balam Texts from K'atuns 13 Ahaw and 11 Ahaw -- Appendix 3.3. 4 Ahaw 8 Kumk'u in Classic Period Texts -- 4. World Renewal in the Dresden Codex : The Yearbearer Ceremonies -- Appendix 4.1. Deities in the Dresden Yearbearer Almanac -- Appendix 4.2. Iconography and Text of the Dresden Yearbearer Almanac -- Appendix 4.3. Almanac on Dresden 31b-35b -- 5. Flood Episodes and Crocodilians in the Maya Codices -- Appendix 5.1. Calculation of Base Dates in the Preface to the Water Tables -- 6. Creation Mythology in Reference to Chaak, Chak Chel, and Mars in the Maya Codices -- Appendix 6.1. Preface to Dresden Upper Seasonal Table -- Appendix 6.2. Calendrical Structure, Dating, and Iconography of Borgia 27 and 28 -- 7. Creation Mythology in the Dresden Venus Table and Related Almanacs -- Appendix 7.1. Reckoning Predictive Dates of Venus' Visibility and Invisi…