The Maya writing system (often called hieroglyphs from a superficial resemblance to the Ancient Egyptian writing)[288] is a logosyllabic writing system, combining a syllabary of phonetic signs representing syllables with logogram representing entire words. [287][289] Among the writing systems of the Pre-Columbian New World, Maya script most closely represents the spoken language.[290] At any one time, no more than around 500 glyphs were in use, some 200 of which (including variations) were phonetic.[287]
The Maya script was in use up to the arrival of the Europeans, its use peaking during the Classic Period.[291]In excess of 10,000 individual texts have so far been recovered, mostly inscribed on stone monuments, lintels, stelae and ceramics.[287] The Maya also produced texts painted on a form of paper manufactured from processed tree-bark generally now known by its Nahuatl-language name amatl used to produce codices.[292][293] The skill and knowledge of Maya writing persisted among segments of the population right up to the Spanish conquest. Unfortunately, as a result of the dire impact the conquest had on Maya society, the knowledge was subsequently lost.[294]
The decipherment and recovery of the long-lost knowledge of Maya writing has been a long and laborious process.[295] Some elements were first deciphered in the late 19th and early 20th century, mostly the parts having to do with numbers, the Maya calendar, and astronomy.[296] Major breakthroughs were made from the 1950s to 1970s, and accelerated rapidly thereafter.[297] By the end of the 20th century, scholars were able to read the majority of Maya texts, and ongoing work continues to further illuminate the content.