Final answer:
Mayan written records are referred to as codices, which are manuscripts that encapsulate a vast array of the Maya's knowledge, from history to astronomy. These codices are limited in number due to the destruction carried out during the Spanish conquest. The Dresden Codex is one of the surviving examples.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mayan written records are known as codices. These historical documents were created by the Maya civilization and encompass a range of knowledge including historical, astronomical, and religious information. The Maya developed a sophisticated writing system composed of phonetic symbols and logograms which allowed them to record detailed histories, royal genealogies, and ritual practices on paper made from tree fibers. Notably, only a few original Maya codices survive today, with examples like the Dresden Codex. Unfortunately, many Mayan texts were destroyed during the Spanish conquest, regarded as containing 'lies of the devil', which significantly diminished our access to the original Mayan literature.