Mayan Glyph Writing
The Maya invented the most advanced form of writing in the ancient Americas. The Mayas used about 700
symbols or glyphs. A glyph is a picture or a symbol used to represent a sound, a word, or perhaps a syllable.
Their system of writing is arguably one of the most difficult to understand, with hundreds of unique signs or
glyphs in the form of humans, animals, objects and abstract designs.
Directions: The Mayans created their own language and system of writing called glyphs, which are carved
symbols that stand for a syllable or word. Create your own “Glyph” style of writing, in which you create your
name and 1 sentence about the Mayan culture and translate it using your own code, or glyph. Make sure to
include the key to your code so others can translate!
For example:
Sentence:
Mayans created a calendar with 365 days.
Glyph: 
Key:
A=C=S=
Mayan Glyph Writing
The Maya invented the most advanced form of writing in the ancient Americas. The Mayas used about 700
symbols or glyphs. A glyph is a picture or a symbol used to represent a sound, a word, or perhaps a syllable.
Their system of writing is arguably one of the most difficult to understand, with hundreds of unique signs or
glyphs in the form of humans, animals, objects and abstract designs.
Directions: The Mayans created their own language and system of writing called glyphs, which are carved
symbols that stand for a syllable or word. Create your own “Glyph” style of writing, in which you create your
name and 1 sentence about the Mayan culture and translate it using your own code, or glyph. Make sure to
include the key to your code so others can translate!
For example:
Sentence:
Mayans created a calendar with 365 days.
Glyph: 
Key:
A=C=S=