The Numeration, Calendar Systems and Astronomical Knowledge of the Mayas

Charles P. Bowditch

ISBN 10: 1331956692 / ISBN 13: 9781331956693

Published by Forgotten Books, 2018

About this Item

Print on Demand. This book offers a detailed exploration of the numeration, calendar, and astronomy practiced by the ancient Maya people, a remarkable civilization that flourished in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. The author delves into the historical sources available, including ancient codices, inscriptions, and writings by Spanish colonizers. These sources provide valuable insights into the Maya's sophisticated system of timekeeping and their profound understanding of celestial phenomena. The book systematically analyzes the Maya system of day signs, months, and years, demonstrating how they measured time in units ranging from days to grand cycles spanning millions of years. It examines the astronomical knowledge that underpinned their ability to predict eclipses, solstices, and other celestial events with remarkable accuracy. Furthermore, the author meticulously illustrates the relationship between the Maya calendar and their religious practices, emphasizing the importance of time in Maya cosmology and rituals. This book is a testament to the intellectual achievements of the ancient Maya, providing a valuable resource for scholars, historians, and anyone fascinated by the enigmatic culture and the enduring legacy of this ancient civilization. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book.

Seller Inventory # 9781331956693_0

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Numeration, Calendar Systems and Astronomical Knowledge of the Mayas
• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication Date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1331956692
• ISBN 13: 9781331956693
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Book Type: print-on-demand item
• Seller catalogs:
  • General Mathematics

About this title

Synopsis

Decode the ancient Maya calendar and its symbols with this scholarly look at their numeration, calendars, and astronomy.

This research examines how Maya inscriptions record dates, cycles, and long counts. It explains how glyphs are read, notated, and linked to specific monuments, cities, and calendar units. The book also surveys methods for fixing dates, including how day signs, months, tuns, katuns, and the 52-year cycle fit into a timeline across grand cycles and multiple sites.

• Learn how date notation worked in the classic Maya system and what the signs represent
• See how scholars interpret inscriptions from sites like Copan, Quirigua, Piedras Negras, and Tikal
• Discover different approaches used to fix the place of a date within thousands of years
• Understand the debates among scholars about glyph forms, face numbers, and the long count

Ideal for readers of archaeology, anthropology, and ancient astronomy who want a rigorous, field-oriented view of Maya calendrics.