What is a codex in the context of Mesoamerican cultures?

In the context of Mesoamerican cultures, a codex refers specifically to a book-like manuscript created using materials such as bark paper or deerskin. These codices played an essential role in the recording and preservation of important cultural, religious, and historical knowledge among various Mesoamerican civilizations, including the Maya and Aztecs. They were often adorned with illustrations and hieroglyphs, making them vital for understanding the beliefs, rituals, and daily life of these societies.

The significance of codices lies in their function as tools for communication, education, and documentation, which were crucial for maintaining the continuity of Mesoamerican traditions and knowledge over generations. Their importance is underscored by the fact that many of the pre-Columbian codices that have survived provide modern scholars with invaluable insights into languages, cosmology, and cultural practices of ancient Mesoamerican peoples.