Códices

Códices are ancient manuscripts, typically made from folded sheets of vellum, parchment, or paper, bound together at one side. They are invaluable historical documents, offering insights into the cultures, languages, religions, and daily lives of past civilizations. The term "códice" is particularly associated with the pre-Columbian manuscripts of Mesoamerica, created by indigenous peoples such as the Maya, Aztec, and Mixtec. These codices often depict historical events, religious rituals, astronomical observations, and genealogies. They are usually illustrated with vibrant pictograms and hieroglyphic or syllabic writing.

Outside of Mesoamerica, the term can also refer to European manuscripts from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, which served a similar purpose of recording information. Early codices in Europe evolved from scrolls, offering a more convenient and durable format for storing and accessing texts. Surviving codices provide crucial evidence for understanding the development of writing systems, the spread of knowledge, and the artistic styles of their respective eras. The preservation and study of codices are essential for historians, archaeologists, and linguists seeking to reconstruct and interpret the past.