In the precolumbian Americas, writing systems developed only in Mesoamerica, and most of those were special-purpose communication systems designed to record and transmit limited kinds of information – calendar dates, personal names, place names, tribute items, and the like. Of the handful of Mesoamerican societies that developed general-purpose writing systems, only the Maya produced a large number of texts that survive. Most of these texts deal with political history, though they are often framed in terms of beliefs about supernatural forces and their salience in everyday life. This presents the possibility of exploring Maya understandings of their own history as they are reflected in texts produced by the Maya themselves. We will begin by looking at episodes in recent and Colonial history to illustrate some of the ways Maya thinking about history differ from more familiar genres. We will then review basic aspects of precolumbian Maya writing. The bulk of the course will focus on analyzing texts and archaeological evidence from well-documented Maya cities, especially Tikal and Copán.

Welcome

Course Syllabus

Grading, term paper, and academic integrity

Contact

John Henderson

henderson@cornell.edu

Perspectives on the Past

Office Hours

Wednesday, Thursday 11:15 - 12:15 (drop-in)

Wednesday 12:15 - 1:15 (appointments)

reserve 20-minute slots in Canvas calendar

if no one signs up in advance, I may not be available

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