ANCIENT BOOKS: Mixtec Group Codices

Place Signs

Mixtec place signs are composed of two parts, a geographical "substantive" and one or more "qualifiers." The qualifying elements are numerous. They can refer to colors and sizes of things, gods, numerals, calendrical signs, animals, plants, weapons, people…virtually anything. The geographical substantive are few in number and they always represent some landscape feature either natural or man-made.

Yucu - Hill	Yuta - River
Ñuu - Town	Yodzo - Plain

Jaltepec is an old Aztec term still used widely today. The proper Mixtec name is Añute, meaning Place of Sand. The Place sign indicates that it was once called Yucu Ñuu Añute or Hill of the Town at the Place of Sand. During the course of archaeological survey the actual palace of Lady Six Monkey was discovered on a low hill overlooking the modern town.

¹Tilantongo is the old Aztec name for the kingdom of Eight Deer. The Mixtec name is Ñuu Tnoo-Huahi Andehui meaning Black Town-Temple of Heaven. The place sign signifies the name with a black frieze surmounted by a temple with a band of stars in the roof.

²Archaeologists have identified Huahi Andehui as the ruined temple-pyramid in the background of this photo taken at Tilantongo. The palace of Eight Deer appears in the process of excavation in the foreground.

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