What was the importance of writing in the Maya Civilization?
Importance of writing in the Maya civilization can be extracted in detail from the Tablet of the 96 Glyphs, in the tower of the "Palace" at Palenque. This is considered one of the most beautiful inscriptions ever carved by the Mayans.
From the very beginning, the Mayans used writing as a propaganda tool, rather than as a means of recording accurate details of history. In a hierarchical society where the elites competed for prestige and leadership positions, writing was used to reinforce a ruler's military power and to legitimize his descent from noble ancestors and the gods. Writings on stone monuments were designed to place rulers in the most favourable light possible, and ancient sculptural inscriptions deal primarily with historical events, marriages, births, military campaigns and victories, rulers and other dynastic affairs.
