Introduction to Maya Hieroglyphs Workshop Handbook 10th European Maya Conference Leiden, December 5–10, 2005 Harri Kettunen University of Helsinki Christophe Helmke University College London Wayeb & Leiden University Dedicated to the memory of John Montgomery Introduction to Maya Hieroglyphs Harri Kettunen & Christophe Helmke Wayeb & Leiden University 2005 Kettunen & Helmke 2005 Introduction to Maya Hieroglyphs TABLE OF CONTENTS: Foreword ................................................................................................................................................. 4 Acknowledgments................................................................................................................................... 4 Note on the Orthography......................................................................................................................... 5 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 6 2. History of Decipherment.................................................................................................................... 7 3. Origins of the Maya Script ............................................................................................................... 11 4. Language(s) of the Hieroglyphs....................................................................................................... 12 5. Writing System................................................................................................................................. 12 5.1. Conventions of Transcribing and Transliterating Maya Texts.................................................. 12 5.2. Reading Order........................................................................................................................... 14 5.3. Compound Glyphs, Infixing, and Conflations .......................................................................... 15 5.4. Logograms ................................................................................................................................ 16 5.5. Syllables (Phoneticism)............................................................................................................. 16 5.6. Phonetic Complements ............................................................................................................. 16 5.7. Semantic Determinatives and Diacritical Signs........................................................................ 17 5.8. Polyvalence: Polyphony and Homophony................................................................................ 17 5.9. Number of Known Hieroglyphs................................................................................................ 18 5.10. Grammar ................................................................................................................................. 19 5.10.1. Word Order...................................................................................................................... 19 5.10.2. Verbs................................................................................................................................ 19 5.10.3. Nouns............................................................................................................................... 19 5.10.4. Pronouns .......................................................................................................................... 19 5.11. Typical Structure and Content of the Texts ............................................................................ 20 5.11.1. Monumental Inscriptions................................................................................................. 20 5.11.2. Portable Artefacts ............................................................................................................ 20 5.11.3. Ceramics .......................................................................................................................... 20 5.11.4. Codices ............................................................................................................................ 21 Appendices............................................................................................................................................ 26 Appendix A: Assorted Texts ................................................................................................................ 26 Appendix B: Titles ............................................................................................................................... 32 Appendix C: Relationship Glyphs........................................................................................................ 32 Appendix D: Classic Maya Emblem Glyphs........................................................................................ 33 Appendix E: Note on the Calendar....................................................................................................... 36 Mathematics.................................................................................................................................. 36 Tzolk’in and Haab’....................................................................................................................... 38 Calendar Round ............................................................................................................................ 38 Long Count................................................................................................................................... 39 Initial Series.................................................................................................................................. 39 Supplementary Series ................................................................................................................... 39 Distance Numbers......................................................................................................................... 39 Possible Haab’ Coefficients for the Tzolk’in Day Names............................................................ 40 “Lords of the Night” (Cycle of 9 Days)........................................................................................ 41 An Example of the Correlation of the Long Count, Tzolk’in, and Haab’ Calendars and the Lords of the Night................................................................................................................................... 41 How to Convert Maya Long Count Dates to Gregorian Dates..................................................... 42 1 Kettunen & Helmke 2005 Introduction to Maya Hieroglyphs A Shortcut Guide for the Conversion of Maya Long Count Dates to Gregorian Dates ............... 43 Period Names ........................................................................................................................... 44 Day Names (Tzolk’in Calendar) .............................................................................................. 45 Month Names (Haab’ Calendar) .............................................................................................. 47 Appendix F: Syllable Charts ................................................................................................................ 49 Appendix G: The Landa Alphabet ....................................................................................................... 53 Appendix H: Transcriptions of Classic Maya Phonemes...................................................................... 54 Appendix I: Articulation Organs and Places........................................................................................ 55 Appendix J: Synharmonic vs. Disharmonic Spelling, Underspelled Sounds, and Reconstructed Glottal Fricatives in Maya Hieroglyphic Writing ........................................................................................ 56 Appendix K: Notes on Classic Maya Grammar................................................................................... 60 Classic Maya Voice System ......................................................................................................... 61 Appendix L: An Example of Hieroglyphic Analysis ............................................................................ 67 Concise Classic Maya—English Dictionary .........................................................................................68 Glossary of Linguistic Terminology ..................................................................................................... 81 Abbreviations used in morphological segmentation and analysis (adapted to Maya linguistics) 97 Sources and Further Reading ................................................................................................................ 99 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS1: Cover: Text and image on the Leiden Plaque (drawing by Linda Schele [in Schele and Miller 1986: Pl. 33b & Fig. A3]) TOC: Artist’s hand incised on a carved bone, from burial 116, Tikal and u-tz’i-b’a collocation from a PSS text on a Late Classic cylindrical vase (drawing based on a photo by Justin Kerr [file #1837]). Figure 1: Stela A, Copan, Honduras....................................................................................................... 7 Figure 2: Detail from the Madrid Codex................................................................................................ 9 Figure 3: Detail from the Dresden Codex .............................................................................................