The Value of Ancient Mexican Manuscripts in the Study of the General Development of Writing.

The article discusses how ancient Mexican manuscripts contribute to research on the history of writing. The author discusses the classification of Mexican manuscripts based on the Spanish occupation of the region and focuses on Maya and Nahua manuscripts. Many Mexican manuscripts, which were written on deerskin or bark paper, were destroyed by Spanish missionaries. The role of mnemonics, pictographs and symbolism in the development of writing are described. The author discusses how the Nahua manuscripts illustrate the transition from picture-writing to phonetic-writing intended to express sounds. The efforts of missionaries to use Mayan hieroglyphics to teach natives prayers and catechisms is noted.