Mayan civilization is one of the earliest and greatest civilizations which began around 3000BCE, when the Egyptian, Indian, Chinese, Assyrian and Mesopotamian civilization were emerging. Mayan civilization resided in pre Columbian America, today’s southern Guatemala, Mexico, western Honduras, northern Belize and El Salvador region.
This civilization was known for their astronomy, written language, architecture, mathematics, arts and their most accurate calendar. Based on the purpose and need they developed more than 17 calendars, and among those 17 calendars one of them was a 360 day calendar probably based on sun’s rotation. Mayan civilization used pyramids for their rituals and the Mayan people had carved many stones which gave clear evidence of Mayan proficiency in the field of art, astronomy, pottery, yoga, epigraphy and meditation.
Mayan people developed many pyramids, temples and architectural places, which depicted their religion and beliefs. They studied movements of Venus planet, Moon and the Sun; which enhanced their astronomical and mythological knowledge. They believed in cycling nature and their ceremonies and rituals were based on terrestrial cycles. Similar to other pre civilizations, Mayan civilization too believed in the concept of 3 planes such as Earth, sky and underground plane. Both Itzamna (Flying God) and the Sun God dominated the sky in the Mayan mythological belief.
Mayan Astronomy:
Mayan people or Mayan astronomers were the earliest astronomers who calculated remarkable actual measurement of planets and skies, and they also designed a model of rotating planets which was utilized for next fifteen centuries to observe planets. They studied and derived their conclusion after keen observation over the sky and planetary movements, as they lacked modern technology and instruments. One of their astronomical instruments was at the tropical latitude where the sun used to pass twice in the year, and accurate time was achieved by observing and resetting their time just like resetting a watch. Towards the left of this instrument, lie a vertical sighting tube and an underground vent. This tube is called as zenith tube and it is located at Xochicalco.
Dresden Codex was the detailed account of Mayan civilization which focused their astronomical observations. By observing moon and planetary cycles, they understood that these entities were located far in sky and they maintained a prediction table to note their moves. Some tables are mentioned below:
• Eclipse Table: which predicted various eclipses.
• Venus Table: which predicted apparitions of other planets and the time when Venus would appear as a morning star.
• Mars Table (First): predicts the retrograde time and the motion of Mars.
• Mars Table (Second): it traces the planets movement along its eclipse.
Mayan Mythology:
For Mayan people their mythological beliefs were very prominent and they had many Gods. Venus and Earth were also considered as Gods. Some of their Gods could also fly. Below is the list of their prominent Gods:
• Itzamna(Flying God): Was the God of Gods with white hair and 6 feet height, who could fly when he turns into the feathered serpent. He was also the God of knowledge and wisdom.
• Chaac: God of Water.
• Yumkaax: God of Maize.
• Hunabku: Was the prime deity of Mayan civilization and he was also considered as unknowable.
• Xamanek: Was a God (The North Star).
