Ancient Maya Astronomer Sak Tahn Waax Identified Through Mathematical Wall Text
Mathematical texts from a Maya site in Guatemala identify an ancient astronomer
I discovered a mathematical formula on a wall at the Maya site of Xultun that reveals the name of an ancient scholar, Sak Tahn Waax. This text, found in a scribe's workspace, demonstrates complex calculations linking astronomical cycles and calendars. It proves that Maya mathematicians were recognized individuals who engaged in intellectual curiosity for its own sake, rivaling the insights of historical masters.
The discovery shows people that the Maya were very clever, creative, intellectually curious people who taught and learnt and sometimes did math for the sake of it.
- ks2048
The article being discussed (with reconstructed glyph drawings and description):
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/id...
(PDF button not working for me, but looks like entire contents are here in HTML).
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Oooh Cool. Math Bragging by "White Chested Fox" (Sak Tahn Waax), ca 800AD:
The formula shows how one 2,920-day cycle could be divided up into the calendar units used by the Maya people. This 2,920-day cycle was important because it tied together key astronomical cycles, corresponding to both five Venus cycles (584 days each) and eight solar years (365 days each). However, the Text 19 calculations also relate the 2,920 days to Uinal (months with 20 days), Tzolkin (the 260-day sacred calendar), Tun (a year with 360 days) and Mars years of 780 days.
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It's a shame how much was lost from some of these civilizations after colonialism. So much cool stuff gone forever.