60 matl (T1871:1)

60 matl (T1871:1)
Notation

Glyph or Iconographic Image Description: 

This notation for the measurement of 60 arm lengths (60 [matl) of land), includes a red flag [pan(tli)], standing for 20, 10 small circles (representing ten ones), and two hash marks. The flag appears above the hand [ma(tl)], which is a left hand. The circles run along in a horizontal row. While it appears that some of the dots may have colors, this may be inadvertent, and they may have been intended to be neutral, the same color as the paper.

Description, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Added Analysis: 

The full measurement results in something of a mathematical equation, (20 + 10) x 2 (the hash marks) = 60. The distinction between matl and maitl is something we are watching. It may be that matl is used more for measurements. Similarly, we are watching for the use of pantli and pamitl. For now, when the banner has an association with a number, we are using pantli, and when it is a locative for a place name, we are using pamitl.

Added Analysis, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Gloss Image: 
Source Manuscript: 
AGN Tierras 1871, exp. 1
Date of Manuscript (incl coverage): 

1558

Creator's Location (place, incl. coverage): 

Cuauhtla, Morelos

Semantic Categories: 
numbers
Syntax (patterns): 
noun(s)
Cultural Content (subjects): 
Anatomy, human body parts
Measurements, Quantities
Numbers, Math
Colors: 
white/neutral
Keywords: 

números, banderas, manos

Glyph or Iconographic Image: 
Relevant Nahuatl Dictionary Word(s): 

ma(tl), hand or arm, a measurement, https://nahuatl.wired-humanities.org/content/matl
ma(itl), hand/arm, https://nahuatl.wired-humanities.org/content/maitl
pan(tli), ridge, furrow, an agricultural row, https://nahuatl.wired-humanities.org/content/pantli
pam(itl), flag or banner, https://nahuatl.wired-humanities.org/content/pamitl

Glyph/Icon Name, Spanish Translation: 

sesenta manos o brazas

Image Source: 

Single-page codex, Archivo General de la Nación, México, Ramo de Tierras, vol. 1871, exp. 1, fol. 28r.

Image Source, Rights: 

The Archivo General de la Nación (AGN), México, holds the original manuscript. This image is published here under a Creative Commons license, asking that you cite the AGN and this Visual Lexicon of Aztec Hieroglyphs.

See Also: 

30 matl (T1871:1)