Unveiling the Secrets: How the Maya Mastered Solar Eclipse Predictions for Centuries

The ancient Maya Civilization was one of the most advanced cultures, especially in fields like astronomy and mathematics. They’re famous for creating detailed calendars and tracking celestial events. Recently, researchers have uncovered how the Maya predicted solar eclipses with remarkable precision.

A study published in Science Advances focuses on the Dresden Codex, a key Mayan astronomy document. The researchers examined an eclipse prediction table that covers 405 lunar months. Previous studies couldn’t fully explain how the Maya maintained accuracy over centuries. This new research bridges that gap.

The study challenges the idea that the 405-month table was solely for predicting eclipses. Instead, the authors suggest it was also a lunar calendar aligned with the Maya’s 260-day astrological system. They showed that the cycle of 11,960 days fits with the 260-day calendar much better than with eclipse cycles. They wrote, “Mayan calendar specialists anticipated solar eclipses by correlating them with dates in their 260-day divinatory calendar.”

Moreover, the researchers uncovered how the Maya achieved such accuracy in their predictions. Initially thought to use separate tables for new cycles, it turns out they overlapped tables. This meant they reset new tables to specific intervals—223 or 358 months—before the previous one ended. This helped correct small errors that build up over time.

To verify their findings, the team compared the table’s predictions with historical data on actual solar eclipses from 350 to 1150 CE. Their method ensured the Maya could predict every observable solar eclipse across many centuries.

This fascinating study not only highlights the Maya’s ingenuity but also demonstrates their deep understanding of astronomy. Their legacy in the study of celestial events continues to inspire scholars today.

For more details, check the full study by John Justeson et al. in Science Advances here.

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