Michael D. Coe, Decoded Mayan Writing, is Dead

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SUMMARY

Michael D. Coe, renowned for deciphering Mayan writing, has passed away from a stroke. His groundbreaking work revealed that Mayan writing was a complex system rather than mere pictographs, a significant advancement in the field of linguistics. Coe also identified the Olmec civilization as a precursor to the Maya and authored several influential books on the subject. His contributions were pivotal in understanding the Mayan number system, which includes a 13-day week known as a trecena, utilizing a unique combination of dots and dashes.

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  • Understanding of Mayan civilization history
  • Familiarity with linguistic analysis techniques
  • Knowledge of ancient writing systems
  • Awareness of the impact of colonialism on indigenous cultures
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  • Research the Olmec civilization and its influence on the Maya
  • Explore the intricacies of the Mayan number system and calendar
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  • Read Michael D. Coe's published works on Mayan writing
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Historians, linguists, archaeologists, and anyone interested in the study of ancient civilizations and their writing systems will benefit from this discussion.

BillTre
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Michael Coe who broke the code of Mayan writing has died of a stroke.
Until his work, Mayan writing was not understood and many thought they were just pictures.
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This kind of work was limited by lack of material as most examples of Mayan writting was destroyed by Spanish Conquistadors.
He also exposed the Olmec civilization as the Mayan precursor and wrote several books.
NY Times obit here.
 
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Mayans had a 13-day week called a trecena. We can see their number system, dash=5 and dot=1. See the numbers have increments of 5 with Mod(13). Don't know why, maybe a human sacrifice every 5 days, judging by the picture.
 
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