In Memoriam Karl Herbert Mayer (1944-2025)

With great sadness, we say goodbye to our dear friend and colleague, Karl "Karli" Herbert Mayer, who passed away on January 31, 2025. Born in Graz, Austria, in 1944, Karl’s passion for Maya art and epigraphy defined nearly five decades of his life. His meticulous documentation of sculptures and paintings across Mexico and Guatemala has left an indelible mark on the field. His photographic legacy is preserved in the open-access Maya Image Archive, which now holds over 12,000 of his more than 20,000 photographs taken between 1974 and 2006. Through his generosity, Karl entrusted his extensive research materials to the Text Database and Dictionary of Classic Mayan project. In the coming years, these invaluable resources will be carefully processed and made accessible, continuing to support and inspire scholars worldwide. Karl’s unwavering dedication and contributions to Maya studies will not be forgotten. He will be greatly missed but always remembered. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Bonn, 5th February, 2025