Iconography Grolier Codex

the deity depicted on page 9 of grolier codex unknown @ time codex discovered, similar depictions later found @ 2 maya sites in mexico.

the artifact shows number of idiosyncrasies raise questions concerning authenticity. numbering systems used in codex conflict. maya bar-and-dot system used mark units, central mexican dot system used mark multiples of twenty (for example using 11 dots instead of 2 bars , dot, case in bar-and-dot system bar indicates 5 , dot indicates 1). bar-and-dot numbers placed within cartouche decorated knot @ top. other instance of such cartouche being used numbers in dresden codex, cartouche has specific function, indicating negative date count 0 year of great cycle of mesoamerican long count calendar (roughly equivalent function of bc in gregorian calendar). in grolier codex, numbers mark intervals between stations of venus, use of cartouche appears meaningless, although suggested means codex may read both front , back.

in grolier codex captives shown bound cords leading necks, common convention in mesoamerican art depiction of captives bound arms or wrists. of figures in codex represent deities (on pages 1–2, 4–6 , 9) , represent mortal warriors without supernatural attributes (on pages 3, 7 , 8). both deities , mortals performing same actions such capture of prisoner, or conquest symbolised spear passing through temple. although codex depicts stations of venus, none of warlike figures identified attributes associated planet in maya or central mexican art. on page 9, bound captive depicted high point of view sense of perspective french mesoamericanist , iconographer claude-françois baudez considers alien mesoamerican art. god k (k awiil) depicted twice in codex. however, attributes inconsistent other pre-columbian depictions, shown human incisors instead of snake fangs.

the deity depicted on page 9 of grolier codex believed mountain god split head. image otherwise unknown in 1960s. other examples of later discovered @ maya sites of tancah , pasión del cristo. coe , colleagues argue unlikely forger have known deity before described elsewhere.