Deciphering Aztec Hieroglyphs: A Guide to Nahuatl Writing

(Hardback)

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Description

For more than three millennia the cultures of Mesoamerica flourished, building the first cities of the Western Hemisphere and developing writing systems that could rival those of the Eastern Hemisphere in their creativity and efficiency. The Nahuatl-speaking Aztecs reigned over one of the greatest imperial civilizations the Americas had ever seen, and up until now their intricate and visually stunning hieroglyphs have been overlooked in the story of writing.

In this innovative volume Gordon Whittaker provides the reader with everything they need to know to appreciate and understand Aztec hieroglyphs: a step-by-step, illustrated guide of how to read Aztec glyphs; an explanation of the special features of this writing system in comparison to others from around the globe; the story of how this enigmatic language has been deciphered; a tour through Aztec history as recorded in hieroglyphic codices; and demonstrations of how the writing system was adapted to transliterate Spanish words during the Conquest.

With 300 illustrations

Reviews

'The fascinating world of Aztec glyphic writing, magnificently explained by an erudite expert in the ancient art of tlacuilolli' - Dr Maria Castaneda de la Paz, Universidad Nacional Autnoma de Mxico
'At last! Gordon Whittaker has written a book that many of us have long wished for. He presents the Aztec glyphs in all their complexity and playfulness, and he does so in terms that any careful reader can follow ... richly rewarding' - Camilla Townsend, Distinguished Professor of History, Rutgers University and author of 'Fifth Sun: A New History of the Aztecs'
'Sheds fresh light on intellectual achievements of long-vanished empire' - Independent
'There is undoubtedly a need for this first book on the subject copiously and colourfully illustrated with Aztec glyphs that are visually compelling but intellectually challenging [a] pioneering book' - Minerva

Author Bio

Gordon Whittaker is Fiebiger Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at the University of Gttingen, where he has held joint positions in the Institute of Ethnology and the Department of Romance Philology. He has written extensively on Aztec language, writing and civilization. His areas of specialization are Linguistic Anthropology and the Anthropology of the Americas.