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Maya

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Maya wall math reveals mathematician-astronomer Sak Tahn Waax
science1 month ago

Maya wall math reveals mathematician-astronomer Sak Tahn Waax

A wall inscription at the Maya site of Xultun in Guatemala names the 8th‑century mathematician‑astronomer Sak Tahn Waax and encodes a 2,920‑day calendar cycle that links five Venus cycles with eight solar years and related Maya time units. Reported in Antiquity, Text 19 shows a complex, previously unseen calendrical math and suggests the chamber was a scribal workspace where mathematicians could be credited alongside artists in Maya society.

via Nature|
#archaeology#mathematics#maya
First Named Maya Math-Astronomer Identified: Sak Tahn Waax
archaeology1 month ago

First Named Maya Math-Astronomer Identified: Sak Tahn Waax

Researchers analyzing microtexts from the Xultun site in Guatemala have credited a specific Maya scholar, Sak Tahn Waax (“White-chested Fox”), with a unique mathematical formula that maps Venus and other planetary cycles to the 260-day ritual calendar and the solar year. This is the first time a Classic Maya math/astronomy work has been attributed to an individual, shedding new light on Maya science and its place alongside contemporaries in India, Iraq, China, and Greece.

via ScienceAlert|
#archaeology#astronomy#mathematics
Remote Yucatán Jungle Uncovers a Row of Unlooted Maya Monuments
science1 month ago

Remote Yucatán Jungle Uncovers a Row of Unlooted Maya Monuments

Archaeologists in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula discovered 14 Maya monuments at the remote site of Minanbé, including a well-preserved 40‑foot temple and inscriptions dating to AD 849 and the late 600s. The untouched condition suggests little looting, highlighting the site's political importance as a regional town rather than a major city. Access required extensive jungle treks after ATV travel, with lidar helping to locate the site. Further excavations are planned to learn more about regional urbanization and the late‑classic Maya collapse; funding came from Slovenian agencies and private donors.

via The New York Times|
#archaeology#lidar#maya
Maya Eclipse Clock: Dresden Codex's Century-Long Predictive Power
archaeology7 months ago

Maya Eclipse Clock: Dresden Codex's Century-Long Predictive Power

New research reframes the Dresden Codex as a working astronomical tool: its eclipse table spans 405 lunar months and uses overlapping reset points to keep predictions within about 51 minutes of accuracy over 134 years, showing Maya scribes maintained data for long-term eclipse forecasting and linking to events like the 1991 eclipse when properly anchored.

via Indian Defence Review|
#archaeology#astronomy#calendar
"Maya Underground Structure Discovered in Mexico"
archaeology2 years ago

"Maya Underground Structure Discovered in Mexico"

Archaeologists in Mexico have unearthed a mysterious subterranean structure with painted walls beneath a Maya ball court, potentially dating back to the Early Classic period (A.D. 200 to 600). The discovery, made using lidar technology, highlights the significance of the site, which also includes residential buildings, temple pyramids, and other ancient Maya settlements. Further excavations are needed to determine the structure's shape and function.

via Livescience.com|
#archaeological-discovery#archaeology#lidar
"Maya Royal Remains Unearthed in Fiery Regime Change Ritual"
archaeology2 years ago

"Maya Royal Remains Unearthed in Fiery Regime Change Ritual"

Archaeologists in Guatemala discovered burned remains of at least four adults, likely members of Maya royalty, in a temple-pyramid, shedding light on a new leader's rise. The scorched bones and thousands of burned artifacts suggested deliberate desecration to mark a dramatic political change, possibly linked to the ascension of a leader named Papmalil. The discovery provides rare insight into Maya culture and political transitions, highlighting the persistence and continuity of Maya society despite changes in political systems.

via CNN|
#archaeology#guatemala#maya
"Unraveling Ancient Solar Eclipse Predictions and Phenomena"
astronomy2 years ago

"Unraveling Ancient Solar Eclipse Predictions and Phenomena"

The ancient Maya were skilled astronomers who meticulously recorded celestial observations and developed a sophisticated calendar system. Solar eclipses were seen as a sign of heavenly battles, with the Sun god associated with prosperity and the morning star linked to war and discord. The Maya believed that eclipses signaled possible cataclysmic destruction and performed renewal rituals, including bloodletting sacrifices, to restore balance. The upcoming solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, will be visible from ancient Maya lands, continuing a tradition of sky-watching that has connected people across time and cultures.

via The Conversation Indonesia|
#ancient-civilizations#astronomy#celestial-events
Revolutionizing 3D Art and Animation with AI Tools and Generative Backgrounds
technology3 years ago

Revolutionizing 3D Art and Animation with AI Tools and Generative Backgrounds

Autodesk is set to integrate generative AI tools into its 3D modeling and animation software, Maya, allowing users to generate textures, materials, and HDR images. The AI tools will be developed using Nvidia's Picasso AI platform and will be integrated with Wonder Studio's AI animation software. Autodesk emphasizes the importance of ethical AI integration and aims to enhance look development and scene lighting workflows. This announcement follows the trend of generative AI advancements in text-to-image and text-to-video creation, raising questions about the impact on jobs in the industry.

via Creative Bloq|
#3d-art#ai#animation
"Ocomtún: Unveiling the Ancient Secrets of a Newly Discovered Maya City"
archaeology3 years ago

"Ocomtún: Unveiling the Ancient Secrets of a Newly Discovered Maya City"

Archaeologist Ivan Šprajc has discovered a long-lost Maya city called Ocomtún in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. This city, which was previously unknown, is home to numerous pyramid-shaped structures and was likely inhabited between 600 and 800 CE. The discovery of Ocomtún sheds light on the mysterious collapse of the Maya civilization and provides valuable insights into their daily life and urban planning. The city's location in the virtually impenetrable Balamkú Ecological Conservation Zone highlights the power of Lidar technology in uncovering ancient Maya sites. The rediscovery of Ocomtún may reveal important information about Maya migration patterns and the reasons behind the abandonment of their settlements.

via BBC|
#archaeologist#archaeology#lost-city
Ancient Maya Canoe Unearthed in Mexican 'Underworld Portal'
archaeology3 years ago

Ancient Maya Canoe Unearthed in Mexican 'Underworld Portal'

A wooden canoe surrounded by human and animal skeletons, including an armadillo, dog, turkey, and eagle, has been discovered in an underwater cave near the ancient Maya city of Chichén Itzá in Mexico. The abundance of armadillo bones and the presence of a human foot suggest that the canoe may have been used in a Maya ritual and intentionally placed in the cave. Armadillos were considered an "avatar" for the Maya deity God L, associated with the underworld. Carbon analysis revealed that the canoe was built in the 16th century.

via Livescience.com|
#archaeology#canoe#maya