Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Codex Borbonicus







The Codex Borbonicus consists of 32 leaves of amátl fig paper and is likely the oldest of the surviving Aztec manuscripts from Mexico.

It was produced early in the 16th century and although 1507 is bandied around as the date, it's more likely the work was completed after the conquest by the Spanish in 1521. The contents are definitely all pre-Columbian however.

The majority of the scroll displays a divinatory calendar from which one could derive predictions about a birth from an illustration of the date and influencing Gods. It is also a guide of sorts to important feasts but this latter section of the work is better preserved and was probably consulted less often.

There are quite a few images from this manuscript on the internet but none are of high quality. The original is available in its entirety but at relatively low magnification.

1 comment :

dhuynh said...

This codex resembles a sibylline book

Post a Comment

Comments are all moderated so don't waste your time spamming: they will never show up.

If you include ANY links that aren't pertinent to the blog post or discussion they will be deleted and a rash will break out in your underwear.

Also: please play the ball and not the person.

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.

 
Creative Commons License