Did Native Americans Have a Written Language?

At one point, the concept of written language was often attributed to ancient civilizations. However, the cultures of Native Americans have long disputed this notion. Ethnolinguist James A. Jaramillo Du Bray explores this fascinating topic in a detailed discussion, providing insights into the writing systems used by Native American tribes up to their interactions with Europeans.

The Diverse Writing Systems

The indigenous peoples of Central Mexico to Honduras, including the Aztecs/Tenochcas, Tarascans, Zapotecs, and Mayas, had sophisticated abstract writing systems. These scripts were not just symbols or pictographs but complex forms of communication. In contrast, Native American tribes in the USA primarily used pan-sigh language and pictographic systems.

The beauty of these writing systems lies in their durability. Inscriptions found on hard surfaces like stones, fired bricks, and cave walls can survive for centuries. This is particularly evident in the writings of the ancient Maya, whose texts are still decodable today by modern epigraphers.

Mayan Script: Head Glyphs and Divine Creatures

The Maya writing system, once among the most advanced in the ancient world, features intricate and abstract glyphs. One notable aspect of Mayan writing includes the use of "head glyphs" which often depicted animals, plants, and human figures.

For instance, jaguars, revered as powerful and divine animals, were frequently featured in Mayan writings. The black jaguar, with its dark color and ability to blend into the shadows of the rainforest, was particularly appealing to the Maya. It was often depicted as an apex predator and a powerful deity, playing a crucial role in their spiritual beliefs.

In addition to jaguars, bats and monkeys were also revered. These creatures held significant cultural and spiritual importance. For example, the Maya believed that the monkey deity taught them how to write, emphasizing the deep connection between these animals and the development of their written language.

Unsolved Mysteries: The Tarascan Purepechan Script

While many Native American writing systems have been partially or fully deciphered, the Tarascan (Purepechan) script remains a mystery. Guillaume, a linguist, examined this script and proposed that it might have been influenced by the worship of a moon goddess. However, the Tarascan language is a linguistic isolate, meaning it does not belong to any known language family.

The Tarascan Purepechan script presents a unique challenge for researchers, as there is no clear parallel to help decipher its meaning. The lack of a known related language family makes it difficult to establish definitive connections or meanings for the symbols found in this script.

Pictographic Language in Native American Tribes

Many Native American tribes not only developed written scripts but also utilized pictographic languages. These pictographs, often inscribed on animal hides, provided a visual method of communication that could be easily understood by members of the tribe.

These pictographic works were not simple artistic representations but encoded messages that conveyed important information about events, beliefs, and daily life. They served as a means of preserving and passing on knowledge across generations, much like the historical records found in other ancient civilizations.

Conclusion

The writing systems of Native Americans, particularly those in Central Mexico to the USA, were diverse and sophisticated. From the abstract forms of the Mayas to the pictographic languages of animal hides, Native Americans developed complex methods of written communication.

While many of these writing systems are still being studied and deciphered, they offer invaluable insights into the rich cultural and spiritual lives of ancient Native American societies. The preservation and decryption of these scripts continue to reveal the depth and complexity of their communication methods, further enriching our understanding of pre-Columbian America.

It is important to recognize and appreciate the advanced writing systems of Native Americans, as they played a crucial role in the development and preservation of their cultural heritage.