Two codices that come together again:
The Tro-Cortesiano Codex, Codex Tro-Cortesianus or Madrid Codex is a Mayan codex.
It is considered the most important book in the Museo de América in Madrid, and one of the most outstanding pieces in the entire collection. However, for conservation reasons and to minimize damage, a facsimile is on public display, while the original remains in the museum's vault. It is a pre-Columbian Mesoamerican manuscript that provides a visual and textual record of indigenous cultural practices and beliefs.
In the second half of the 19th century, two separate fragments were discovered. When both fragments were studied, they were found to be part of the same book. They measure 4.6 + 2.38 meters in length.
The combination of the Troano Codex and the Cortesiano Codex gives rise to the Trocortesiano Codex, which measures a whopping 6.82 meters. This extremely long strip, which was used as a support, is not exactly paper, but rather made of plant fibers from cacti such as maguey, agave, and pita, bound with natural comma and covered with a light lime plaster.
This codex is considered a valuable artifact that offers insight into the world of Mesoamerican societies prior to European contact.
It is one of only four preserved pre-Hispanic Mayan codices, along with the Dresden Codex (Saxon State Library and University of Dresden, Dresden), the Paris Codex (National Library of France, Paris) and the Maya Codex of Mexico or Grolier Codex (National Library of Anthropology and History, Mexico City).
Created in the early 16th century, during the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, the Codex Cortesiano is composed of several sections or pages, each containing intricate illustrations accompanied by hieroglyphic text. These images and glyphs serve to convey a series of themes important to the region's indigenous cultures.
What to find in the codex:
The codex covers a wide variety of topics:
Religious Rituals and Ceremonies: This section often includes depictions of religious rituals, ceremonies, and interactions with deities. There may be scenes of priests, offerings, and sacrificial rituals, which shed light on the spiritual practices of the time.
Cosmological Concepts: Many codices contain images related to cosmology, including celestial bodies, constellations, and the motion of celestial objects. These sections help us understand how Mesoamerican cultures perceived the cosmos and incorporated these concepts into their religious and cultural beliefs.
Calendar Information: Mesoamerican societies developed intricate calendar systems that were crucial for agricultural, religious, and social events. This section could include images of calendars, specific dates and days, or calendar-related ceremonies.
Mythical and Historical Narratives: Some sections may contain visual narratives of mythical stories or historical events. These may include origin stories, legendary events, or important moments in the history of a particular culture.
Divination Practices: Mesoamerican cultures often used divination as a means of predicting future events or making decisions. This section may include images of diviners interpreting omens, casting lots, or performing other forms of divination.
Daily Life and Activities: Scenes depicting everyday activities, such as farming, trading, and social interactions, can provide insight into the social norms and practices of the time.
Figures and Deities: Images of gods, goddesses, and other supernatural beings are common in Mesoamerican codices. These figures often play a central role in religious stories and rituals.
Hieroglyphic Texts: Throughout the codex, hieroglyphic texts accompany the images, providing explanations, descriptions, and contextual information. Understanding these texts is crucial to interpreting the images' meaning.
The illustrations in the Codex Cortesiano are characterized by their meticulous detail and vibrant use of color. The accompanying hieroglyphic texts, written in indigenous scripts, provide additional context and explanations for the images. These texts are an essential component for understanding the codex's cultural significance.
Like many Mesoamerican codices, the Codex Cortesiano was created on bark paper, a traditional support made from the inner bark of certain trees. Pigments derived from natural sources, such as minerals and plants, were used to create the colorful illustrations.
This codex, along with others like the Dresden Codex, contributes to our understanding of the complex societies that flourished in Mesoamerica before European colonization. Through these manuscripts, modern scholars and enthusiasts gain insight into the religious beliefs, social structures, and artistic achievements of these cultures.
