THE MATHEMATICIAN
I'm Jerstine, a mathematician. I attended University of Massachusetts. I specialized in the major of Mathematics. A little while ago, I have visited a Mayan Temple. I had gotten the chance to view the Maya hieroglyphics in person, and being able to see how the Mayans had written their observations in their codices.
The mathematical and scientific calculations are that the Mayans based the calendar off the movements of three planets. The sun, moon, and planet Venus. They used the naked eye to calculate things such as the path to Venus and other celestial bodies. They kept detailed records of the moon, but did not make a lunar calendar. (Ruddell et al, Maya Civilization: Astronomy)
Their number system consisted of dots and bars. One dot stood for one. One bar stood for five. The Maya put dots and bars together to write larger numbers. They were advanced in creating the calendar. With gods and astronomic events, they created vague calendars. (Lerner Publishing, 5)
Their number system consisted of dots and bars. One dot stood for one. One bar stood for five. The Maya put dots and bars together to write larger numbers. They were advanced in creating the calendar. With gods and astronomic events, they created vague calendars. (Lerner Publishing, 5)
The scientific and technological advances were that Maya astronomer priests used observatories and shadow-casting devices. That was beneficial for their existence because they would not be able to observe the planets. With the observations they calculated using the observatories, they recorded the information in codices. Codices held useful information and was written in Maya Hieroglyphic writing. Also, Mayan astronomer priests observed horizons, so they could trace the complicated motions of the sun and moon, including the planets. It benefits for them because if they did not have those advances, they wouldn't be able to make the calendar. These calendars thought to be determined by celestial events, eclipses, births and planets. The Mayans used the calendars for important activities. They had two calendars making up 52 years. The first calendar, sacred round, has two cycles which is 260 days. The second calendar, vague year, has 365 years with 18 months, each month having 20 days. (Ruddell et al, Maya Civilization: Writing and Hieroglyphics)