Notes on Certain Maya and Mexican Manuscripts Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1881-82, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1884, pages 3-66

This scholarly report offers a close‑up look at several rare Maya and Mexican codices, highlighted by a detailed examination of the so‑called Tableau des Bacab. Drawing on newly available photolithographs of the Codex Cortesianus, the author guides the listener through the plate’s three concentric zones—sacred tree, day symbols, and mythic figures—showing how they encode the four cardinal points and the twenty‑day month. Along the way, he compares his own interpretations with those of earlier researchers such as Rosny and Schultz‑Sellack, inviting listeners to follow the debate over symbol meanings.

The narrative is enriched by references to dozens of illustrations, from the Vatican and Fejervary codices to calendar wheels and engraved shells, each described in vivid, accessible language. By outlining the structure of the manuscripts and the methods used to decode their hieratic script, the report equips listeners with a solid foundation for exploring Mesoamerican calendrical systems. It also sets the stage for later discussions on decipherment challenges, promising a thoughtful glimpse into the scholarly process without revealing conclusions beyond this initial survey.