MORLEY] INTRODUCTION TO STUDY OP MAYA HIEROGLYPHS ^ 



by marriage, or a sister-in-law; otherwise a man could marry whom 

 he would; even his first cousin. 



The Maya were of a very jealous nature and divorces were frequent. 

 These were effected merely by the desertion of the husband or wife, 

 as the case might be. The parents tried to bring the couple together 

 and effect a reconciliation, but if their efforts proved unsuccessful 

 both parties were at liberty to remarry. If there were young children 

 the mother kept them; if the children were of age the sons followed 

 the father, the daughters remaining with their mother. Although 

 divorce was of common occurrence, it was condemned by the more 

 respectable members of the community. It is interesting to note 

 that polygamy was unknown among the Maya. 



Agriculture was the chief pursuit, corn and other grains being 

 extensively cultivated, and stored against time of need in well- 

 appointed granaries. Labor was largely communal; all hands joined 

 to do one another's work. Bands of twenty or more each, passing 

 from field to field throughout the community, quickly finished sowing 

 or harvesting. This communal idea was carried to the chase, fifty or 

 more men frequently going out together to hunt. At the conclusion 

 of these expeditions the meat was roasted and then carried back to 

 town. First, the lord of the district was given his share, after which 

 the remainder was distributed among the hunters and their friends. 

 Communal fishing parties are also mentioned. 



Another occupation in high favor was that of trade or commerce. 

 Salt, cloth, and slaves were the chief articles of barter; these were 

 carried as far as Tabasco. Cocoa, stone counters, and highly prized 

 red shells of a peculiar kind were the media of exchange. These were 

 accepted in return for all the products of the country, even includ- 

 ing the finely worked stones, jades possibly, with which the chiefs 

 adorned themselves at their fetes. Credit was asked and given, all 

 debts were honestly paid, and no usury was exacted. 



The sense of justice among the Maya was highly developed. If a 

 man committed an offense against one of another village, the former's 

 lord caused satisfaction to be rendered, otherwise the communities 

 would come to blows. Troubles between men of the same village 

 were taken to a judge, who having heard both sides, fixed appropriate 

 damages. If the malefactor could not pay these, the obligation 

 extended to his wife and relatives. Crimes which could be satisfied 

 by the payment of an indemnity were accidental killings, quarrels 

 between man and wife, and the accidental destruction of property by 

 fire. Malicious mischief could be atoned for only by blows and the 

 shedding of blood. The punishment of murder was left in the hands 

 of the deceased's relatives, who were at liberty to exact an indemnity 

 or the murderer's life as they pleased. The thief was obliged to make 

 good whatever he had stolea, no matter howUttle; in event of failure 

 to do so he was reduced to slavery. Adultery was punishable by 



