New World writing systems

New World writing systems refer to scripts developed by indigenous cultures in the Americas, distinct from European alphabets. Examples include Mayan hieroglyphs, which combined logograms and syllabic symbols to record history and mythology, and the Aztec pictographs used for codices. These systems often employed vivid imagery conveying meaning directly, reflecting their cultural and linguistic contexts. Many of these scripts fell out of use after European contact, but deciphering them has deepened understanding of pre-Columbian civilizations. Today, some efforts aim to revitalize or study these writing systems, recognizing their importance for cultural preservation and historical knowledge.