If you want to read ancient Maya writing, these two guides are essential. The first volume explains the basics of epigraphy, the study of ancient languages, and how this science applies to Mayan, one of only five original, fully functional systems of writing. Undecipherable only a few years ago, scholars have made great strides in reading the glyphs, which are part picture and part phonetic. John Montgomery has codified this work into an overview, complete with history, grammar, and understandable illustrations. He shows how ancient Mayan is structured and gives practical demonstrations for readers.
The companion dictionary is the first of its kind with over 1,200 hieroglyphs, phonetic spellings, and meanings. Entries are cross-referenced in Mayan, English, and Spanish. These books are essential for scholars and fascinating for readers interested in the Maya and their language. —Mark Michel