Aids to the Study of the Maya Codices Sixth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1884-85, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1888, pages 253-372

This work offers a concise guide for anyone beginning to explore the enigmatic Maya codices. Drawing on recent observations, the author explains why the scripts resist a simple alphabetic reading and argues that progress will come from painstaking comparison of symbols, numerals, and recurring motifs. The discussion is anchored by clear explanations of the Dresden Codex’s numeric system and the visual language of animals, deities, and ornamental loops.

Interspersed with detailed illustrations and tables, the text walks readers through the meanings of individual characters and the tentative phonetic clues they suggest. By highlighting both the successes and the dead‑ends of earlier decipherment attempts, it equips scholars with a realistic framework for future study. Though the treatise does not claim a final solution, it provides a solid stepping‑stone toward a deeper understanding of these ancient manuscripts.