Mayan astronomer’s name deciphered from ancient ruins
Archaeologists have transcribed mural symbols from Mayan ruins to learn the name of an astronomer and mathematician from the ancient civilization for the first time, Guatemala’s Ministry of Culture said Monday.
The name “White-chested Fox” was found in drawings dating from 400 B.C. to 900 A.D. at the San Bartolo-Xultun archaeological site on the Mexican border.
Culture minister Luis Mendez told reporters researchers at Xultun unearthed a “complete mathematical and astronomical formula” authored by Sak Tahn Waax, which translates to White-chested Fox.
Mendez said it’s the only work of its kind attributed to a mathematician from the Maya Classic period, considered the peak of the Mesoamerican civilization.
