Dresden Codex
The Dresden Codex is one of the most important surviving Mayan manuscripts, created around the 11th or 12th century AD.
Although it originated in the Americas, it was rediscovered centuries later in Dresden, Germany, giving it the name by which it is known today.
Today, this invaluable cultural treasure is preserved in Museum of the Saxon State Library.
Crafted from the inner bark of a wild Ficus tree, the codex’s pages were carefully flattened to create a writing surface.
Each page measures about 20cm in height and can be folded in an accordion style. When fully extended, the manuscript stretches an impressive 3.7m, making it both compact and expansive at the same time.
The text, written in Mayan hieroglyphs, is thought to be based on an even older source dating back three to four centuries earlier.
It contains intricate records of local history and detailed astronomical tables, offering insight into how the Maya tracked celestial movements.
These observations highlight the advanced knowledge and precision of Mayan science and culture.