The word "manuscript" refers to a volume manuscript. The name is derived etymologically from the Latin "caudex" meaning tree trunk, wooden tablet, book, Code of Laws (Oxford Inglés Dictionary, CD-ROM Version 3.0, 2002). The term has been applied to handwritten books of Mesoamerica. There are four (or three) Maya codices, or fragments Maya Codices, which exist as something readable. They are commonly called Codices: Dresden, Madrid, Paris (named for the city where they are currently stored) and Grolier (named for the Grolier Club of New York City, where it was first exhibited). There is still some debate whether Mayanists who Grolier is real or an imitation of the phrase "there are four (or three) ... Maya Codices"
For years it was thought that the codices were made of maguey fiber, but in 1910, R. Schwede codices studied thoroughly, and determined that they were made of a process using the inner bark of the fig tree. This was then treated with a layer of lime (or something like lime) on the surface, the surface was then written with brush and ink. The black ink was black carbon soot, the Reds were made from hematite (iron oxide), and beautiful bright blue, green and yellow were also present. Codex long strips were written in this paper, and were folded like an accordion. The pages of the codices were about 4 by 9 inches (or 10 by 23 cm) in dimension.
Sobreblow Mayan codices:
Having only four codices few to work looks really sad. But it is fortunate that these four codices could escape the wet weather ruins much of Central America, the European destruction of the 16th century determined called "the work of the Devil," later European neglect, and extensive damage during World War. The codices that ended in Europe seem to have come to Spain as part of the "Royal Fifth" and / or memories. As the Spanish royal family had ties throughout Europe, especially in Austria, it is not surprising that the Dresden Codex, for example, was some time in Vienna. That with several sales, etc.., Three of the Maya Codices ended in Madrid, Dresden and Paris. The Grolier Codex story is quite different, having been "discovered" in 1965, in Mexico.
