koodeksid

Koodeksid are bound manuscripts or printed books whose pages are fastened together along one edge, forming a continuous sequence of leaves rather than a scroll. The term koodeks is Estonian for codex, while the English word codex derives from Latin codex, meaning a book or block of wood, reflecting early binding practices. Codices became common in the ancient world and grew to dominate the Western book tradition from late antiquity through the Middle Ages, in contrast with scrolls which were more prevalent earlier.

Historically, codices offered practical advantages: they could be written on both sides, were easier to navigate, and allowed more compact storage. Early surviving codices come from the Roman and Byzantine worlds, with medieval European manuscripts often produced on parchment or vellum and sometimes richly illuminated. In other regions, codex-like formats developed independently. In Mesoamerica, codices were created from bark paper or cloth and bound as folded sheets, recording calendars, astronomy, ritual knowledge, and genealogy. Notable examples include the Dresden Codex, the Codex Mendoza, and other pre-Columbian works, as well as later post‑conquest manuscripts.

Materials and construction vary by culture and period. European codices typically used parchment or vellum and employed stitched or sewn bindings with wooden boards, while other traditions used papyrus, palm leaves, or bark papers. Preservation is a central concern for codices, many of which survive in libraries, archives, and church treasuries. Modern digitization and careful conservation efforts aim to balance public access with the protection of fragile originals.

Notable examples: Dresden Codex, Codex Mendoza, Codex Vaticanus. Koodeksid remain essential sources for history, religion, law, and daily life in many civilizations.