Ancient Aliens: The Mayan Calendar Mystery (Season 14) | Exclusive | History

HISTORY・2 minutes read

The Maya had a complex calendar system with various calendars for different purposes, such as tracking years, spiritual activities, and agricultural planning. Their Long Count calendar started in 3114 BC and was not based on the Sun or other planets, with the Maya attributing their knowledge to divine beings in the Chilam Balam books.

Insights

  • The Maya utilized an intricate calendar system with various calendars serving distinct purposes, such as tracking time, spiritual events, and agricultural planning, showcasing their advanced understanding of celestial movements and cycles.
  • The Long Count calendar of the Maya, starting in 3114 BC, diverges from conventional solar-based calendars, reflecting the Maya's unique cosmological beliefs and their attribution of knowledge to divine beings, highlighting a cultural perspective that intertwines science with mythology.

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Recent questions

  • What calendars did the Maya use?

    Various calendars for different purposes.

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Summary

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Maya's Intricate Calendar System and Beliefs

  • The Maya developed a complex calendar system, including a solar calendar, lunar calendars, calendars for Venus, and a nine-day cycle. They utilized around 20 calendars, with the Long Count calendar tracking years, the Tzolk'in for spiritual purposes and ceremonies, and the Haab' for agricultural planning.
  • The Long Count calendar of the Maya, unlike other ancient calendars, consisted of a 360-day year, not aligned with the Sun or other planets. The Maya believed the current age began in 3114 BC, attributing their knowledge to gods descending from the sky to teach them various disciplines like mathematics and astronomy, as detailed in the Chilam Balam books.
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