We Finally Know The Name of a Revered Maya Astronomer-Mathematician: Sak Tahn Waax

Key Points:

• Researchers have identified Sak Tahn Waax, an Indigenous mathematician-astronomer from the Classic Maya period (250-900 CE), credited with a unique mathematical formula related to astronomy at the Xultun archaeological site in Guatemala.
• This discovery marks the first time a specific piece of mathematical or astronomical work from the Classic Maya era has been attributed to an individual, filling a gap in understanding the scholars behind Maya computational timekeeping.
• The formula attributed to Sak Tahn Waax cleverly maps the movements of Venus and other planetary bodies using familiar Maya calendrical units, demonstrating advanced knowledge of cycles including the 260-day ritual count, solar year, and planetary cycles.
• The inscriptions, found among over 50 mathematical and astronomical microtexts, suggest the importance of these calculations for scheduling royal events and construction projects during the Classic Maya period.
• This finding enhances the historical context of Maya civilization by aligning its scientific achievements with those of contemporary ancient cultures in India, Iraq, China, and Greece, and highlights the rich Indigenous traditions of astronomy in the Americas.