Hidden codex may reveal secrets of life in Mexico before Spanish conquest

[MADem]

Hi-tech imaging has revealed exceptionally rare manuscript overlaid by 16th-century deerhide document held at Oxford University

The codex is one of fewer than 20 dating from before or just after the colonisation, which were saved by scholars who realised the importance of the strip cartoon-like images, a complex system that used symbols, stylised human figures and colours to recount centuries of history and beliefs, including religious practice, wars, the founding of cities and the genealogy of noble families.

One Spanish witness of the destruction wrote that people were distraught to see their books – and their history – burn, anguished “to an amazing degree, and which caused them much affliction”. Of those known to have escaped the bonfires, the Bodleian had five, the largest group in the world – and now it has six.

Scholars at the Bodleian and the universities of Leiden and Delft, in the Netherlands, are still analysing the newly revealed images, but believe they are unique, a previously unknown genealogy that may help unlock the history of archaeology sites in southern Mexico.

Some of the pages have more than 20 characters sitting or standing, similar to other Mixtec manuscripts – from the Oaxaca region of modern Mexico – which are believed to depict kings and their councils, but uniquely in this case depicting men and women. One so far unidentified figure appears repeatedly, and is symbolised by a twisted cord and a flint knife.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/aug/21/hidden-codex-reveals-secrets-of-life-in-mexico-before-spanish-conquest

Since America (North/Central/South) encompasses half a hemisphere, I thought this group was as good a place as any for this rather significant discovery.

[awoke_in_2003]

1. K&R

The thought of burning books horrifies me. How much knowledge has been lost? I'm t would be impossible to know.

[Person 2713]

2. It is sad and yes horrifying that the Spanish lost so much of Mexico's native history forever

Intentionally by burning all of it

[MADem]

3. I know--it totally sucks.

What amazes me is how modern the cartoons look--and they really are cartoons, magnificently executed ones too. The colors are stunning.

I see a few "Simpsons" looking faces and eyes in some of that work! Matt Groening just might have been inspired by these things....

[gilesNow]

4. The work of "God."

Last edited Thu Aug 25, 2016, 06:23 PM - Edit history (15)

This "senseless" to us destruction was neither an idle, nor to the Spanish, a frivolously activity. That these historical priceless treasures were all but totally destroyed was no accident: the conquering Spanish determinedly intended that there be a complete eradication.

The Catholic Spanish, especially their priests, fearfully saw objects emblematic of non-Christian/Catholic culture as impure and unholy. Most especially the pagan's "sacred" objects were believed thoroughly demonic. In this light these drawings were believed terrible & of the devil. This was taking place at the height of the Spanish Inquistion, an insanely intolerant period, so destroying them was the only choice.

The Spaniards blindly & ruthlessly reacted...and went about their attempt to completely erase all traces of the dark "evil" items.

(Interestingly these same Spanish, further south in Central America, erected a sizable stone crucifix high up on the very lip of a large, semi-active volcano. It was placed there because the fiery, bubbling crater to them was a terrifying gateway of hell. They believed their cross had the power to keep Satan from escaping out of this entrance to hell and roaming freely about.)

The codexes were seen in the same exact same light. Just as the Catholic communion wafer was believed to contain - or be "impanated" by - the very living body of God/"Christ," so it was believed that the vile, blasphemous "pagan" drawings unquestioningly held and embodied the horrible living presence of Satan.

That the diabolifying & then destroying of these feared pagan objects ALSO happened to help shatter the culture and morale of the newly conquered native people, making them all the more easily subjugated, 'twas but a happy side-effect.

Unquestionably, the work of "God."

As generally is in conquest, ruthless measures are the norm. Thought of preservation of knowledge, a luxury of our recently "enlightened" era, was never entertained.

Nor tolerated.

As you say, these were horrible actions. It was a tragedy. But, hardly the first.

By the way, that crucifix on the volcano's lip? It is no longer there. It was itself subsequently eradicated, by some random blast of the volcano.

Read that as you will.

[FailureToCommunicate]

5. K & R

Fascinating!