This treatise about the Maya Calendar Systems, emphasizing the Yucatecan Calendar, is an extract and a summary of the studies on their number as well as their calendar systems. As far as the calendars are concerned data from monuments as well as from the Chilam Balam of Tizimin / Chumayel and the Codex Pérez were analyzed.
All nations of Mesoamerica had number systems to the base 20. The one of the Maya, however, differed from all others not only by its basic numbers but also by the formation of numbers greater than 20, namely by the method of overcounting while all the others used the method of undercounting.
The Maya replaced their moon calendar by adopting the spiritual and solar calendar as well as a longtime count by a now long time perished nation. The solar calendar had built in a correction of the first order, a camouflaged bissextile day at the end of every fourth year. Spiritual and solar calendar constituted by permutation the Calendar Round, a cycle of 52 years. One of the properties of the Calendar Round was that all years began cyclic by only four out of the twenty sacred day signs, the year bearers kaban, ik', manik', eb. The longtime count was noted as elapsed days in positional notation, whereby the third rank was counted only from 0 to 17.
This Preclassic Calendar was reformed by the Maya due to the different counting of numbers, thus, by replacing the Day Count with a system of measurements, the so-called Long Count, whereby the third rank became a short year of 360 days.
This Classic Calendar was reformed, however, only in the Rio Bec, Chenes and Puuc region. Hereby the Long Count was replaced by periods of current time, the ajaw-Periods of 20 short years. Additionally the Calendar Round was made “dynamic”, in order to integrate the solar calendar corrections of the second and third order. The resultant pairs of Calendar Rounds of the same patron had identical notations, thus, the protagonists of the reform introduced for the months of the solar year the count of current days for each first Calendar Round and for each second one of elapsed days. The reform of this Yucatecan Calendar was completed by enlarging the ajaw-Period from the 20 short years to 24 solar years. And thus, the first eternal solar calendar was accomplished.
This calendar was lived up to the conquest by the Spaniards. The knowledge about it, however, was lost soon after the inquisitional trials and the auto de fé of Mani. Thereafter the counting was frozen.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Part 1: The Maya Calendar Systems, whilst Emphasizing the Yucatecan Calendar, the World's Very First Eternal Solar Calendar
- 1.1 Introduction
- 1.2 The Elements of the Maya Calendars and the Number Systems Used within
- 1.2.1 The Calendar Round
- 1.2.2 Numbers Used with the Maya Calendar Systems
- 1.2.3 The Calendars and Their Longtime Counts Exemplified in Their Notation for the Day Count, the Long Count and the Short Count
- 1.2.3.1 The Day Count of the Preclassic Calendar
- 1.2.3.2 Notations of the Lunar Calendar and the Secondary or Supplementary Series
- 1.2.3.3 The Long Count of the Classic Calendar
- 1.2.3.4 The Notation Accordingly the Yucatecan Method: The Short Count
- 1.2.4 Continuity and Compatibility of the Maya Calendar Systems
- 1.2.5 The Distinction Between k'atun- and ajaw-Periods
- 1.2.6 An Intermittent Resume and Retrospect
- 1.3 The Structure of the Calendar Round of the Maya Calendars and its Expansion Leading to the Yucatecan Calendar
- 1.3.1 Introduction with Regard to the Calendar Structure
- 1.3.2 The Numerical Scaling of the Calendar Round; the Resultant Three Longtime Tables Lead to the Association Table
- 1.3.3 Pre-Studies about the Structure of the Yucatecan Calendar
- 1.3.4 The Association Table for the Calendar Round, the Long and the ajaw-Period Count
- 1.3.5 The Improvement of the Average Tropical Solar Year by the Leap Day Corrections
- 1.3.6 More Data from Monuments of the Rio Bec, the Chenes and the Puuc Region
- 1.3.7 The Chronicle of Dates from the Yucatecan Calendar
- 1.3.8 A Western Point of View of the Mechanics and the Counting of Intercalated Days with the Maya Calendars
- 1.3.8.1 The Intercalated Day at the End of Every Fourth Year of the Mesoamerican Calendar Systems Experienced by Chroniclers of Early Colonial Times
- 1.3.8.2 An Experiment of Thought
- 1.3.8.3 Conclusions Regarding Leap Day Corrections
- 1.3.9 The Patrons of the Double Calendar Rounds
- 1.3.10 Examples from Northern Yucatán of the Maya Classic Calendar Defined by the Year Bearer Group “B”
- 1.3.11 The Last Step Towards the Eternal Solar Calendar: The Transformation of the ajaw-Period from 20 tun to 24 haab and the Effect of the Discontinuities at the End of Every Double Calendar Round
- 1.3.12 The Final Structure of the Yucatecan Calendars
- 1.4 The Sudden Death of the Lived Yucatecan Calendar
- 1.5 The Uniqueness of Dates within the Maya Calendar Systems
- 1.6 End Note on the Maya Calendar Systems
- Evolution of Maya calendar systems across different periods (Preclassic, Classic, Yucatecan).
- Mathematical and numerical bases of Maya calendars (vigesimal system, undercounting, overcounting).
- Analysis of the Yucatecan calendar's unique features (dynamic Calendar Round, ajaw-Period count).
- Leap day corrections and their implications for the accuracy of the solar year.
- Relationship between the Maya calendars and the socio-religious practices of the Maya.
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This treatise aims to analyze the Maya calendar systems, focusing on the Yucatecan calendar and its unique features as the world's first eternal solar calendar. It examines the evolution of these systems through different periods, investigates the underlying mathematical principles and number systems, and explores the cultural and religious significance of the calendar within Maya society.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1.2 The Elements of the Maya Calendars and the Number Systems Used within: This chapter details the fundamental components of the Maya calendar system, including the Calendar Round (tzolk'in and haab), and the various number systems employed. It explores the differences in counting methods (elapsed vs. current time) used for different calendar elements and the significance of year bearers. The chapter also delves into the Maya's vigesimal number system, comparing it to those used by other Mesoamerican cultures and highlighting the unique features of Maya numeral systems and their notation.
1.2.3 The Calendars and Their Longtime Counts Exemplified in Their Notations for the Day Count, the Long Count and the Short Count: This section explores the different notations used for the longtime counts in various Maya calendars. It contrasts the linear Day Count of the Preclassic period with the cyclical Long Count of the Classic period, emphasizing the differences in notation and the implications of counting methods (undercounting vs. overcounting). The chapter then introduces the Short Count notation of the Yucatecan calendar, highlighting its unique characteristics and its relationship to both the Day Count and Long Count systems. The significance of the Initial Series Introductory Glyph and its role in interpreting these various notations is also discussed.
1.3 The Structures of the Calendar Round of the Maya Calendars and its Expansion Leading to the Yucatecan Calendar: This chapter focuses on the evolution of the Calendar Round and its expansion into the Yucatecan calendar. It presents a detailed analysis of how the Calendar Round was numerically scaled and how this led to the development of an association table connecting the Calendar Round, the Long Count, and the ajaw-Period count. The chapter extensively explores the use of data from various monuments in the Rio Bec, Chenes, and Puuc regions to refine the understanding of the Yucatecan calendar structure and the cyclical shifts in patronage.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Maya calendar systems, Yucatecan calendar, Calendar Round, tzolk'in, haab, Long Count, Short Count, Day Count, vigesimal number system, undercounting, overcounting, year bearers, ajaw-Period, leap day corrections, Mesoamerican calendars, Classic Maya, Preclassic Maya, Postclassic Maya, GMT correlation.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Preview of the Maya Calendar Systems, Emphasizing the Yucatecan Calendar
What is the main focus of this treatise?
This treatise provides a comprehensive analysis of the Maya calendar systems, with a particular emphasis on the Yucatecan calendar. It explores its unique characteristics as the world's first eternal solar calendar and examines its evolution, mathematical principles, and cultural significance within Maya society.
What topics are covered in Part 1?
Part 1 delves into the Maya calendar systems, focusing on the Yucatecan calendar. It covers the elements of the Maya calendars and their number systems, including the Calendar Round, Long Count, Short Count, and Day Count. It also examines the structure of the Calendar Round and its expansion into the Yucatecan calendar, analyzing the numerical scaling, association tables, leap day corrections, and the transition from the ajaw-period count. Finally, it discusses the demise of the lived Yucatecan calendar and the uniqueness of dates within the Maya calendar systems.
What are the key objectives and themes explored?
The key objectives are to analyze the evolution of Maya calendar systems across different periods (Preclassic, Classic, Yucatecan), investigate their mathematical and numerical bases (vigesimal system, undercounting, overcounting), analyze the unique features of the Yucatecan calendar, explore leap day corrections and their implications, and understand the relationship between the Maya calendars and their socio-religious practices.
What are the key features of the Yucatecan calendar highlighted in the treatise?
The treatise highlights the Yucatecan calendar's unique features as a dynamic Calendar Round system with a specific ajaw-Period count. It emphasizes the importance of leap day corrections in achieving the accuracy of the solar year and explores the cyclical shifts in patronage indicated by the calendar's structure.
How does the treatise address the mathematical aspects of the Maya calendars?
The treatise explores the mathematical and numerical bases of the Maya calendars in detail. It explains the vigesimal number system, discusses methods of undercounting and overcounting, and analyzes the numerical scaling that led to the development of association tables connecting different counting systems (Calendar Round, Long Count, and ajaw-Period count).
What is the significance of the Calendar Round, Long Count, and Short Count?
The treatise explains the Calendar Round (comprising the tzolk'in and haab), Long Count (used in the Classic period), and Short Count (specific to the Yucatecan calendar). It details the different notations and counting methods (elapsed vs. current time) used for each and their interrelationships.
What are the chapter summaries provided?
Summaries are given for chapters focusing on the elements of the Maya calendars and their number systems, the different notations used for longtime counts (Day Count, Long Count, Short Count), and the structure and evolution of the Calendar Round leading to the Yucatecan calendar. These summaries highlight key concepts and findings within each chapter.
What keywords are associated with this treatise?
Key words include: Maya calendar systems, Yucatecan calendar, Calendar Round, tzolk'in, haab, Long Count, Short Count, Day Count, vigesimal number system, undercounting, overcounting, year bearers, ajaw-Period, leap day corrections, Mesoamerican calendars, Classic Maya, Preclassic Maya, Postclassic Maya, and GMT correlation.
- Quote paper
- Armin A. Brandes (Author), 2016, The Maya Calendar Systems Vol. 1, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/334164