Mesoamerican codices are ancient manuscripts created by the indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica, including the Maya and Aztec civilizations. These codices were made from materials like bark paper or animal skins and were often folded like an accordion. They contain a wealth of information, including historical records, religious texts, and astronomical data, often illustrated with colorful images. The writing system used in these codices combines pictographs and glyphs, allowing for complex storytelling and documentation. Many codices were destroyed during the Spanish conquest, but some survived and provide valuable insights into the cultures, beliefs, and practices of the Mesoamerican peoples.