Breaking the Maya Code

This book tells the story of the decipherment of the Maya script, a process that spanned centuries and involved numerous scholars and their often contentious interactions.

Coe, who was himself involved in this process, provides a detailed and engaging account of the academic rivalries, breakthroughs, and setbacks that ultimately led to the understanding of the Maya glyphs.

The book includes numerous illustrations, maps, and photographs and offers insights into the complex nature of the Maya writing system, which is neither purely alphabetic nor logographic but a combination of both.