Tuesday, January 20, 2004

A newly discovered mask has significantly expanded the known corpus of Isthmian script, also known as Epi-Olmec. Decipherment of this language is apparently going well, good news if you like reading about warrior kings who could turn into animals and sacrifice their brothers-in-law. The mask is pretty cool, though; the writing is carved on the inside of the face.

And here is some Aztec poetry, some of which is pretty good. I especially like some of King Nezahualcoyotl's works, which tend to dwell on the transcience of this world and longing for eternal truth.

All the earth is a grave and nothing escapes it, nothing is so perfect
that it does not descend to its tomb. Rivers, rivulets, fountains and
waters flow, but never return to their joyful beginnings; anxiously
they hasten on the vast realms of the rain god. As they widen their
banks, they also fashion the sad urn of their burial.
Update:Apparently, the disovery of the mask has in fact done few favours for the decipherment of Isthmian Script. The proposed decipherment has not produced a credible text out of the writing on the mask, and the whole attempt is drawing some serious criticism from other experts.