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Mayan Sky Watchers and their Astonishing
Astronomical Calendars
Dr. Dora Musielak
July 2, 2009
International Year of Astronomy
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Copernicus
17 th Century
Space Age
MAYAS 2
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Who were the Maya?
A Mesoamerican civilization, only one known to have fully developedwritten language of pre-Columbian Americas, as well as art, culture,architecture, mathematics, and sophisticated accurate astronomy.Mysterious civilization ruled a territory of 125,000 sq. miles across parts ofMexico Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Belize.The Maya engineered sky-high temple-pyramids, ornate palaces andadvanced hydraulic systems, without use of metal, pack animals or wheels!
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Ancient Mayan Metropolis
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Tikal is the greatest of all Mayan cities with the tallest pyramids in the western hemisphere. Tikal wasfounded c. 200 B.C. and seems to have been abandoned in 900 A.D. for unknown reasons. Tallest
structure is 229 ft (70 m) high . 5
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O v e r 1 3
b i l
l i o n y e a r s B
. C .
30,000 B.C. 10,000 B.C.Hunter-gatherers cross
over frozen BeringStrait to become firsthumans in America.
~2000 B.C.OlmecsMayas begin todevelop (1800)
1450 B.C. Earliestrecord of Greeklanguage.
~700 400 B.C. Writing isdeveloped in Mexico andCentral America ; earliestknown solar calendarscarved in stone by Maya.
~ 280 B.C.Aristarchusattempts first
estimation ofEarth-Sundistance.
~240 B.C. Eratosthenesestimates Earths
circumference
~ 130 B.C.Hipparchus startsfirst star map andcatalogues 850stars.
36 B.C. Mayamathematics andconcept of zero.
140 A.D.Ptolemysuggests
geocentrictheory of theuniverse.
250 A.D. ClassicPeriod of MayaCivilization begins
0
6
Written inscription inMaya glyphs (250 B.C.)
~550 - Pythagoras
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Ancient Maya were exquisitely talented
architects, brilliant mathematicians, andastonishingly accurate astronomers.They invented a calendar system of
remarkable accuracy and complexity.
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Mayan Calendars developed mathematics and concept of zero to enable them to deal with time and
distance;
advanced an accurate system of astronomy to enable them to measure movementand positions of celestial bodies; and
invented writing , both to communicate with each other and to record their conceptsand conclusions in mathematics and astronomy .
wrote with drawing glyphs to represent their ideas.
counted using a vigesimal numerical system made with just three differentsymbols to represent numbers.
made phenomenally accurate, complex, orbit calculations of stars, planets, and
moon, and precise reckoning of solstices and eclipses. Maya astronomers established an incredibly accurate calendar. It was not
easy: only a few could calculate it!
Ancient Mayan people dedicated themselves to precision in mathematics,
time measurements, and cosmic cycles to develop accurate calendars. 8
To devise a calendar, the Maya
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Mayan Writing Mayan inscriptions date back to 250 B.C.
Maya writing used logograms complemented by a set of syllabic glyphs. Codices are books, texts written by scribes, perhaps Mayan priests.
Maya wrote with set of glyphs painted on ceramics, walls, bark-paper books orcodices, carved in wood or stone, or molded in stucco.
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The Maya, one of only 5 ancient cultures that developed a unique writing system ~600 B.C.
Mayas recorded words and grammar vocabulary, phonetics and syntax of spoken language .
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Copy of the Dresden Codex
Madrid Codex
Dresden Codex Paris Codex Grolier Codex
Mayan Books
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http://www.authenticmaya.com/
In Uaxactn (Guatemala), 3 structures are aligned north-south and form an
astronomical observatory. Mayas could watch Sun rise behind buildings and marksummer and winter solstices, and vernal and autumnal equinoxes.
Mayan Architecture and Astronomy
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El Castillo at Chichn Itza (Mexico)
El Castilloin Spanish, the castle looms atcenter of Chichn Itz, a 79-foot pyramid ofstone. Also known as the Pyramid ofKukulkn, the structure embodies Mayanmyth along with natural astronomical cycles.
A phenomenon occurs twice each year, atspring and fall equinoxes. As Sun sets, a playof light and shadow creates appearance of a
snake that gradually undulates down thestairway of the pyramid.
A 34-m long, diamond-backed snake isformed of seven triangular shadows, cast bystepped terraces. Sinking Sun seems to givelife to the sinuous shadows, which make adecidedly snaky pattern on their way downthe stairs.
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Mayan Calendars To place events on a timeline, the Maya
adopted and refined a 5,125-year calendarknown as Long Count Calendar that enabledthem to place celestial and terrestrial eventsin absolute time (from distant past to distantfuture!).
Main calendars used in concert with LongCount calendar were Tzolkin (260 days long)and Haab (365 days long).
Combination of Tzolkin and Haab also gave
rise to a 52-year cycle called CalendarRound .
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The Maya were masters of three things:
time, astronomy, and numbers.
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Mayan Calendar Elements: Numbers
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Mayas developed a unique mathematical system that used dots for units , bars for five
units
, and a shell for zero .. Numbers can be written vertically or horizontally.Mayas discovered zero, and used it , centuries before it was discovered in Europe or Asia.
Mayas used a vigesimal positioning system. Numbers greater than 20 use same symbolsbut are 20 times what they really represent just add 0 after it. Using this system one canwrite up to 399. And from 400 to 7999, multiply 20 times 20.
20x1=20 20x5=100
400x3=120020x8 = 160
20x20=400
Maya Mathematics
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Tzolkin Sacred Calendar 260 days Combines a cycle of twenty days
with a cycle of thirteen numbers, to produce 260 day-cycles (i.e., 20 1 3= 260).
Days were named: imix, ik, akbal,
kan, chucchan, cimi, manik, lamat,mucuk, oc, chuen, eb, ben, ix, men, cib, caban, etznab, cauac, ahau.
Each successive named day was
numbered from 1 to 13 and thencycle started again: 1 imix, 2 ik, 3 akbal, 4 kan ,, 13 eb;
1 ben, 2 ix, 3 men, 4 cib ,
21https://sites.google.com/a/brvgs.k12.va.us/precolumbian-america/Home/the-maya-calendar
Tzolkin predates Classic Maya period and someexperts believe it was established by Olmecs asearly as 3000 B.C.
https://sites.google.com/a/brvgs.k12.va.us/precolumbian-america/Home/the-maya-calendar/Tzolkin.gif?attredirects=0https://sites.google.com/a/brvgs.k12.va.us/precolumbian-america/Home/the-maya-calendar/Tzolkin.gif?attredirects=0https://sites.google.com/a/brvgs.k12.va.us/precolumbian-america/Home/the-maya-calendar/Tzolkin.gif?attredirects=0https://sites.google.com/a/brvgs.k12.va.us/precolumbian-america/Home/the-maya-calendarhttps://sites.google.com/a/brvgs.k12.va.us/precolumbian-america/Home/the-maya-calendarhttps://sites.google.com/a/brvgs.k12.va.us/precolumbian-america/Home/the-maya-calendarhttps://sites.google.com/a/brvgs.k12.va.us/precolumbian-america/Home/the-maya-calendarhttps://sites.google.com/a/brvgs.k12.va.us/precolumbian-america/Home/the-maya-calendarhttps://sites.google.com/a/brvgs.k12.va.us/precolumbian-america/Home/the-maya-calendarhttps://sites.google.com/a/brvgs.k12.va.us/precolumbian-america/Home/the-maya-calendarhttps://sites.google.com/a/brvgs.k12.va.us/precolumbian-america/Home/the-maya-calendarhttps://sites.google.com/a/brvgs.k12.va.us/precolumbian-america/Home/the-maya-calendar/Tzolkin.gif?attredirects=08/13/2019 Mayan Skywatchers
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Tzolkin kins were named and represented
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Crocodile -body ofplanet earth,or world
Wind -breath, life.
Night-house - darkness,underworld, realm ofnocturnal jaguar-sun
Maize - youngmaize lord whobringsabundance
Snake - celestialserpent Death
Deer - signof Lord ofthe Hunt
Rabbit - sign ofplanet Venus,sunset
Water - jade,water deities,fish
Dog - guides nightsun throughunderworld
Monkey - greatcraftsman, patron ofarts and knowledge
Grass - ~rainand storms
Reed Jaguar
Eagle Owl Earthquake ,
thought Knife Rain Lord, sun god
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Haab Calendar 365 days Haab calendar or solar year, divided in 19 months (Uinal).
First eighteen months have twenty days, and last month, called Uayeb, has only fivedays (18x20 = 360 + 5 = 365 days) Days within a month are numbered from 0 to 19, and Uayeb is numbered from 0 to 4. Haab month names changed every 20 days; day after 4 Yaxkin would be 5 Yaxkin,followed by 6 Yaxkin ... up to 18 Yaxkin, which is followed by 0 Mol, etc.
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Haab Calendar 365 daysHaab' is 365-day calendar ~ solar year, divided in 19 months
Anthropologist Bricker estimates Haab' was first used c.550 BCwith starting point of December winter solstice.
Haab' month names are based on seasons and agriculturalevents.
Although there were only 365 days in Haab year, Mayas wereaware that a year is slightly longer than 365 days even thoughthey did not employ leap days in their calculations.
Inscriptions on a Temple at Palenque appear to show periodsof 1,507 Haab , which equate to 550,420 days.Thus, 550,420/1,507 = 365.2422
24Bricker, Victoria (1982). "The Origin of the Maya Solar Calendar". Current Anthropology 23 (1): pp.101 103.
20 year Calendar stone ,Tikal
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Haab and Chichn ItzaKukulkan pyramid at Chichn Itz has four stairways, each with 91 steps and a
top platform, making a total of 365 steps, equivalent to number of days in aHaab calendar year.Number of terrace segments on each side equals 18 - number of months inMayan Haab calendar.
25constructed c. 1050
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Maya described a date by specifying its position in both 260-day Tzolkin and
365-day Haab calendars. Alignment of Tzolkin and Haab calendars generates a 52-year cycle called
Calendar Round , which is like two gears that inter-mesh synchronized. Any day calculated on these cycles would not repeat for 18,980 days Some people refer to 52 year- cycle as Mayan century.
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A 20B 13
C 20
Maya Calendar Round
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Mayan civilization left evidence of their knowledge of
time and cosmology.
Mayan Long Count Calendar is a mixed base-20/base-18 representation of number of days since start offifth Mayan era, which lasts 5,125 years!
Dates in Long Count begin in 3114 B.C., zero Mayanyear (as January 1, 1 AD is for us) or 13.0.0.0.0 aswritten by the Mayas.
Thus, 13 cycles of 394 years will have to pass beforenext cycle begins, which is in 2012 A.D.
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Maya Long Count Calendar
Stele 1 from Coba, Mexicoshowing 0 date of Long Count
Note: First date in Long Count should be 0.0.0.0.0, but as baktun(first component) are numbered from 1 to 13 rather than 0 to 12,
this first date is actually written 13.0.0.0.0.
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Mayan Calendar Time Units Kin - Basic time unit of Maya year (day),
a word that means Sun. 1 kin = 1 day Uinal - Maya month, equal to 20 days or
20 kin, numbered from 0 to 17 Tun - unit of time in Long Count
calendar, equal to 360 days or 18 uinals Katun or k'atun- unit of time equal to 20
tuns or 7,200 days (~ 20 years) Baktun = 20 katuns = 144,000 days
~395 years
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Origin of LongCount 5 th cycle= 3114 B.C.
First date in Long Count should be 0.0.0.0.0, but as baktun (firstcomponent) are numbered from 1 to 13 rather than 0 to 12, Maya
wrote first date as 13.0.0.0.0.
End of LongCount 5 th cycle= 2012 A.D.
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Long Count Calendar
Stela at Tonin (Chiapas, Mexico)depicts start of Long CountCalendar: 4 Ahau 8 Kumka.
Date is represented in Gregoriancalendar by August 13, 3114 B.C.
Tonin contains over 100 carved monuments,most dating from Maya Classic Era.
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Mayan Typical Date:
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12.18.16.2.6, 3 Cimi 4 Zotz12.18.16.2.6 is Long Count date.
3 Cimi is Tzolkin date.
4 Zotz is Haab date.
52-year CALENDAR ROUND 260-day Tzolkin 365-day Haab
5125-year LONG COUNT CALENDAR
MAYAN CALENDARS
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Mayan astronomers had a remarkably accurate knowledge ofapparent motion of Venus.
They knew on what day Venus would appear again in the eastafter it had disappeared in the west, and that every 2920 days(~eight years) Venus repeats its movements in relation to Sun.
Mayans determined with great approximation synodic period ofVenus, which according to modern astronomers is 583.92 days.
For the Mayan, it was 584 days! 31
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Ancient Mayans tracked motion of 5 planets. They used doorways and windows
as astronomical sightings. At Uxmal, for instance, entire city is aligned withreference to planets positions, with Venus predominating.
Frstmann contended that pages 51-58 of Dresden codex were related toMercury synodic period of 117 days and Tzolkin of 260 days.
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Mayas and the Planets
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Orion Nebula - Chandra Image Credit: NASA/CXC/Penn State/E.Feigelson & K.Getman et al 33
This is the account of how all was in suspense, allcalm, in silence; all motionless, still, and the expanse ofthe sky was empty.
There was neither man, nor animal, birds, fishes,crabs, trees, stones, caves, ravines, grasses, nor forests;there was only the sky.
The Popol Vuh, the sacred book of the Mayas
Glyph representation of Itzamna,supreme god of creation anddestruction
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Fifth age of Mayan calendar, which started on August 13, 3114 B.C.,is due to end on December 21, 2012.
Scholars know this from recently decoding of stone monumentsand codices that survived.
Mayan astronomers calculated in advance when winter solsticepoint would pass through dark band in Milky Way, an importantplace in Mayan mythology and a place located on Galaxy plane.
2,000 years ago Mayan astronomers calculated this date to beDecember 21, 2012.
With this as end date, Mayas may have strung their Long Countcalendar backwards, arriving at its starting point in 3114 B.C.
So-called "end of Mayan calendar is a final point of a 25,695 -yearcycle.
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Something to think about
References:http://www.authenticmaya.com/calendar.htmhttp://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-info-mayan-ruins-of-chichen-itza.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0kOyGZxKh4
http://www.authenticmaya.com/calendar.htmhttp://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-info-mayan-ruins-of-chichen-itza.htmlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0kOyGZxKh4http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0kOyGZxKh4http://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-info-mayan-ruins-of-chichen-itza.htmlhttp://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-info-mayan-ruins-of-chichen-itza.htmlhttp://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-info-mayan-ruins-of-chichen-itza.htmlhttp://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-info-mayan-ruins-of-chichen-itza.htmlhttp://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-info-mayan-ruins-of-chichen-itza.htmlhttp://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-info-mayan-ruins-of-chichen-itza.htmlhttp://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-info-mayan-ruins-of-chichen-itza.htmlhttp://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-info-mayan-ruins-of-chichen-itza.htmlhttp://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-info-mayan-ruins-of-chichen-itza.htmlhttp://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-info-mayan-ruins-of-chichen-itza.htmlhttp://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-info-mayan-ruins-of-chichen-itza.htmlhttp://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-info-mayan-ruins-of-chichen-itza.htmlhttp://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-info-mayan-ruins-of-chichen-itza.htmlhttp://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-info-mayan-ruins-of-chichen-itza.htmlhttp://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-info-mayan-ruins-of-chichen-itza.htmlhttp://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-info-mayan-ruins-of-chichen-itza.htmlhttp://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-info-mayan-ruins-of-chichen-itza.htmlhttp://www.authenticmaya.com/calendar.htm8/13/2019 Mayan Skywatchers
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Journey into deep space
And you may reach the center of the Universe
Voyage with a young Mayan princess to witness the splendor of thestars and uncover stellar mysteries; seek what is beyond the Earth,moving at light speed through a space full of breathtaking phenomenaof ethereal beauty.
All this and more you will find in the enchanting book
Kuxan Suum: Path to the Center of theUniverseBy Dora Musielak
Pl i it k t 35