Photographing The Maya Hieroglyphic Writing

This room with samples of the Maya hieroglyphic writing from San Bartolo (I believe) was another treat available at Casa Herrera on the 2012: Myths and Facts about The Mayan Prophecy conference. Taking this photo was extremely difficult because of the poor lighting conditions and because lots of people were taking photos of the hieroglyphics (including me). I understand nothing of the Maya writing, except that is very beautiful and that without a doubt the Maya were ahead in terms of civilization, culture and art [plus warfare :-(].

Make sure you make to time to visit Casa Herrera to see what they have on display next time you visit La Antigua Guatemala. Here’s a little overview about Casa Herrera:

The Casa Herrera is a research, conference and teaching facility located in the heart of La Antigua Guatemala that focuses on the varied and inter-related disciplines that contribute to the study of Pre-Columbian art, archaeology, history and culture.
Since 1977, The Maya Meetings at Texas have been at the cutting edge of research into the culture of the ancient Maya of Mexico and Central America. This annual conference draws scholars from a wide spectrum. (source: Facebook Casa Herrera page)

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Glennis says:

February 18, 2010 at 7:44 pm

Would be interesting to know what the Mayans wrote about on these tapestries, it must have been very important. Nice to see a photo of them.

Rudy Girón says:
February 22, 2010 at 2:41 pm
@Glennis, I would also like to know what was written in the murals. I promise that if I find out, I will share it here.

Eric says:

February 19, 2010 at 10:21 am

Great post, Rudy. Is this the same facility that offers classes that teach native mayans to read and write the glyphs? Am I thinking of someplace else?
I am always fascinated with the word “discovery” when it comes to the Mayan hieroglyphs. I have a few books on the subject, although I can’t say I can “read” any of the inscriptions. Typically, I ask the abuelitas who live in the area about an ancient custom or ritual, and they give me all I need to know, and more. Can we call something a “discovery” when we haven’t even asked the people who are a living legacy of the culture we’re studying? Just a thought… 🙂
p.s. – respectfully asking the abuelitas usually gets you fresh tortillas along with information for your thesis…I’m just sayin’… Ja-ja-ja!

Rudy Girón says:
February 22, 2010 at 2:40 pm
@Eric, oh yes, discovery is always a thorny word, isn’t it?

MO says:

February 19, 2010 at 12:58 pm

Just wondering if the sign in the middle of the table read “No Tocar” or “No Fotos”?

Rudy Girón says:
February 19, 2010 at 1:54 pm
@MO, you are so right, that’s exactly what the sign read.

Arturo Godoy says:

February 23, 2010 at 6:10 pm

;O) Great post!!!!!!!!!! And, well, the lighiting conditions weren’t that bad, eh, ;O)

On the writings, there is a few people that can read ancient Mayan hieroglyphs, and Rudy got to meet one of the most influential one of our times, Dr. David Stuart from University of Texas at Austin. He for sure knows a lot of what the texts say, and yes the paintings are of the murals at San Bartolo. National Geographic had an article about it, or several?

Again, greaaaaaaat post!!!!!!!!!!!

Photographing The Maya Hieroglyphic Writing

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