Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 17, 2026

Testerian

Testerian is a pictorial writing system that was used until the 19th century to teach Christian doctrine to the indigenous peoples of Mexico, who were unfamiliar with alphabetic writing systems. The invention of Testerian catechisms is attributed to Jacobo de Testera, a Franciscan who arrived in Mexico in 1529.

Last revised
Jul 17, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
133 w
Citations
Source
Testerian
Script type
Pictographic
CreatorJacobo de Testera
Period
16th to 19th centuries
DirectionBoustrophedon Edit this on Wikidata
LanguagesVarious

Testerian is a pictorial writing system that was used until the 19th century to teach Christian doctrine to the indigenous peoples of Mexico, who were unfamiliar with alphabetic writing systems. The invention of Testerian catechisms is attributed to Jacobo de Testera, a Franciscan who arrived in Mexico in 1529.

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