MORLEY] INTRODUCTION TO STUDY OF MAYA HIEROGLYPHS 21 



were four, were elected from the nucteeloh, or village wise men. 

 They served for a term of one year and could never be reelected. 

 They aided the priest in the various ceremonies of the year, officiating 

 in minor capacities. Their duties seem to have been not unlike those 

 of the sacristan in the Roman Catholic Church of to-day. 



In closmg this introduction nothing could be more appropriate than 

 to call attention once more to the supreme importance of religion 

 in the life of the ancient Maya. Religion was indeed the very 

 fountain-head of their civihzation, and on its rites and observances 

 they lavished a devotion rarely equaled in the annals of man. To 

 its great uplifting force was due the conception and evolution of the 

 hieroglyphic writing and calendar, aUke the invention and the exclusive 

 property of the priesthood. To its need for sanctuary may be attrib- 

 uted the origin of Maya architecture; to its desire for expression, the 

 rise of Maya sculpture. All activities reflected its powerful influence 

 and all were more or less dominated by its needs and teachings. 

 In short, religion was the foundation upon which the structure of the 

 Maya civilization was reared. 



