The Maya invented the most advanced form of writing in the ancient Americas. They used hieroglyphics. The Mayas used about 700 symbols or glyphs. A glyph is a picture or a symbol used to represent a sound, a word, or perhaps a syllable.

Hieroglyphics covered their stelas, the big stone slabs they built to tell the story of special occasions and events. Hieroglyphics were used on temple walls and pillars. The Mayas wrote everything down. If only we could read it all!

The Maya wrote books about their gods, their leaders, their daily life, and their special events.  They were not like the books we have today. Maya books were made of soft bark and were folded like a fan. The reader had to unfold them to read them.  Books included drawings as well as glyphs. A book was called a codex. 

When the Spanish arrived, about 600 years after the Maya civilization had disappeared, they found many Maya codices. The Spanish priests believed they had found pictures of demons and devils. They burned the codices they found. Much was destroyed, but fortunately, not everything. 

Even today, scholars have a tough time understanding the complicated written language of the ancient Mayas. They can read 80% of the Maya writings they have found. These writings have told us a great deal about ancient Maya religion, government, and daily life.