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The Maya are well known for their precise calendar and astronomy. The four surviving written documents (which are called the Dresden, Madrid, Paris, and Grolier Codices) that they have left behind include an ephemeris that charts the heliacal risings and settings in the synodic cycle of the planet Venus and an eclipse warning table based on observable lunar and solar cycles. The astronomic complexes in important Maya cities, are called "E Groups", after the E group in Uaxactú Structure E-VII, "Temple of the Masks", north viewUaxactún, in Petén, Guatemala. One of the most notable series of buildings at the site is that E Group in Uaxactún, the 3 small temples, E1, E2, E3, mark the solstices and equinoxes and the stela is the observation marke, from the Masks templeformed by Structures E-1, E-2, and E-3, which are aligned north-south and form an astronomical observatory, the first found in the Maya world. From a observation point on a nearby pyramid, named Temple of the Masks or structure E-sub VII, the early Maya could watch the sun rise behind these buildings and mark the summer and winter solstices (the longest and shortest days of the year) as well as the vernal and autumnal equinoxes (when day and night are of equal length).
While the best minds in Europe thought the world was 5000 years old, the Maya were writing accurate descriptions of celestial events that happened nearly 500 million years in the past. They wrote about cycles in the heavens that are longer than the known age of the universe. We don't know how accurate they were. All of these calculations were done by hand, based on observations made without telescope, sextant, protractor, compass, or any other known instrument. The idea that the Maya, essentially a stone age tribe, could produce calculations of such extreme accuracy that Europe could not duplicate them for thousands of years would seem totally incredible were it not so well documented. The Maya astronomical accomplishments are clearly recorded on paper in the Dresden Codex in Germany.
Uniquely, there is some evidence to suggest the Maya appear to be the only pre-telescopic civilization to demonstrate knowledge of the Orion Nebula as being fuzzy, i.e. not a stellar pin-point. The information which supports this theory comes from a folk tale that deals with the Orion constellation's area of the sky. Their traditional hearths include in their middle a smudge of glowing fire that corresponds with the Orion Nebula. This is a significant clue to support the idea that the Maya detected a diffuse area of the sky contrary to the pin points of stars before the telescope was invented.[28] Many preclassic sites are oriented with the Pleiades and Eta Draconis, as seen in La Blanca, Ujuxte, Monte Alto, and Takalik Abaj.
The point is: just because it's "ancient", doesn't mean that it's foolish, nonsense, or BS.
the Mayan's civilization's knowledge of astronomy was far more advanced back then, even -surprisingly- much more than our "modern" Western or European astronomy today?
Originally posted by intrptr
I was digging in a dumpster not long ago and I found a calendar and it was still new in the wrap. It was a "collectible" one (Lord of the Rings). On the back it listed the year and the months in a grid and I noticed it ended on Dec. 31st...
guess what that means?
Absolutely nothing.
Maybe it's an omen that the Hobbit will fail at the box office? O.o
Not likely. I read the books before most people on here were alive.
Originally posted by Phage
reply to post by dinkot
The point is: just because it's "ancient", doesn't mean that it's foolish, nonsense, or BS.
Yes, the Maya were very careful observers of the sky. I don't think anyone denies that. You seem to be creating a false dichotomy by claiming otherwise.
the Mayan's civilization's knowledge of astronomy was far more advanced back then, even -surprisingly- much more than our "modern" Western or European astronomy today?
But no, their astronomy was not more advanced than modern astronomy.edit on 12/19/2012 by Phage because: (no reason given)
I believe that what he is getting at is if the human race now did not have the equipment that we now have the Mayans would still be far advanced then we would be.
Why? What is it you think the Maya did? Do you think they have been the only civilization which could observe the movements of the sky?
I am sure they could not do that as well as the Mayans did.
Originally posted by intrptr
reply to post by winofiend
Maybe it's an omen that the Hobbit will fail at the box office? O.o
Not likely. I read the books before most people on here were alive. Eagerly awaited all the movie versions that came out over the decades. The latest was the best. If they follow suit with the new Hobbit, everyone is in for a ride.
All of these calculations were done by hand, based on observations made without telescope, sextant, protractor, compass, or any other known instrument
Uniquely, there is some evidence to suggest the Maya appear to the only pre-telescopic civilization
This is a significant clue to support the idea that the Maya detected a diffuse area of the sky contrary to the pin points of stars before the telescope was invented