Ancient Maya Codex: also known as the Dresden Codex or Codex Dresdensis

This Ancient Maya Codex, also known as the Dresden Codex or Codex Dresdensis, is a pre-Columbian Maya book of the eleventh or twelfth century of the Yucatecan Maya in Chichén Itzá. This Maya codex is believed to be a copy of an original text of some three or four hundred years earlier. It is the oldest book written in the Americas known to historians. Of the hundreds of books that were used in Mesoamerica before the Spanish invasion and systematic extermination of the Maya civilization, it is one of only 15 that have survived to the present day.

This codex contains astronomical tables of great accuracy. It is most famous for its Lunar Series and Venus table. The lunar series has intervals correlating with eclipses. The Venus Table correlates with the apparent movements of the planet. The codex also contains almanacs, astronomical and astrological tables, and ritual schedules. The specific numen references have to do with a 260-day ritual cycle divided up in several ways. The Dresden Codex also includes instructions concerning new-year ceremonies as well as descriptions of the Rain God's locations.

Such codices were primary written records of Maya civilization, together with the many inscriptions on stone monuments and stelae that survived. With their destruction, the opportunity for insight into some key areas of Maya life has been greatly diminished.

This full color photographic reproduction in your hands is Mayan ancient knowledge that has transcended time and survived extermination.