Which of the following is the best comparison of sixteenth-century Spanish interpretation of Mayan writing and modern understanding of it?(1 point)

Question

Responses

The Spanish believed they could use Mayan writing to convert Mayans to Christianity. Modern understanding shows that the Mayans did not write about religion.
The Spanish believed they could use Mayan writing to convert Mayans to Christianity. Modern understanding shows that the Mayans did not write about religion.

The Spanish believed they understood Mayan writing. Modern understanding has proven that this is impossible.
The Spanish believed they understood Mayan writing. Modern understanding has proven that this is impossible.

The Spanish believed that Mayan glyphs were impossible to decipher. Modern understanding has made this possible.
The Spanish believed that Mayan glyphs were impossible to decipher. Modern understanding has made this possible.

The Spanish believed it only focused on religion. Modern understanding shows that the Mayans wrote about much more.

Answer 1

The best comparison of the sixteenth-century Spanish interpretation of Mayan writing and modern understanding of it is:

The Spanish believed it only focused on religion. Modern understanding shows that the Mayans wrote about much more.

This option accurately reflects the misconception held by the Spanish regarding the content of Mayan writing, which they largely interpreted through a religious lens, while modern understanding reveals a much broader scope of subjects covered in Mayan inscriptions, including history, astronomy, and daily life.