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Name of Ancient Maya Astronomer-Mathematician Deciphered for the First Time
Researchers say the inscription is the first Classic Maya mathematical work tied to a named individual and reveals calculations for Venus and other cycles.
- On Monday, researchers publishing in Antiquity identified Sak Tahn Waax, an ancient Maya mathematician-astronomer, from hieroglyphs discovered at the Xultun site in Guatemala.
- Archaeologists found the name among 11 hieroglyphs within more than 50 faint mathematical 'microtexts' etched into the walls of structure 10K-2, an ancient residential chamber.
- The inscription features a mathematical formula dating to AD 781 tracking Venus and Mars movements. Mayanist David Stuart noted the math shows "unique understanding of connections and patterns between several cycles of time."
- This discovery marks the first time scientists have identified a Mesoamerican mathematician by name. Archaeologist Heather Hurst of Skidmore College called it a "mic-drop moment," adding personal dimension to ancient scientific traditions.
- Researchers plan to continue surveying Xultun, where 900 hectares of urban zone remain covered by forest. Further study of wall inscriptions may reveal additional scribal hands and more work by the mathematician-astronomer.
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About 1200 years ago, a scholar of the Maya made complex calculations. Researchers have now assigned his name to microtexts in a chamber of the ruined city of Xultún.
·Hamburg, Germany
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Archaeologists decipher name of Mayan astronomer for first time in history: 'Wonderful discovery!'
Researchers have successfully identified an ancient Maya astronomer-mathematician by name for the first time in history. The individual, known as Sak Tahn Waax, or the white-chested fox in English, was discovered through analysis of mural inscriptions at the San Bartolo-Xultun archaeological site in Guatemala.The country's culture minister Luis Mendez announced scientists at Xultun had uncovered a "complete mathematical and astronomical formula"…
·London, United Kingdom
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Total News Sources30
Leaning Left5Leaning Right4Center12Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Center
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
57% Center
L 24%
C 57%
R 19%
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