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Oldest evidence of Mayan calendar

Archaeologists found two fragments containing an engraving representing a date in the Mayan calendar dating back to at least 2,200 years ago.

Fragments of a mural were found inside the pyramid ruins of Las Pinturas at the archaeological site of San Bartolo in the jungles of northern Guatemala, which became famous for the discovery of the burial chamber. 2001 with intricately colorful murals dating from around 100 BC, depicting scenes of Mayan ritual and mythology, according to research published in the journal Science Advances April 13th.

The fresco inscriptions – which include ancient Mayan writing depicting the number 7 on the outline of a deer’s head – represent “7 Deer”, one of the 260 days of the Mayan calendar year used on throughout Central America.





Two fragments of the fresco contain engravings representing a date in the Mayan calendar.  Photo: Reuters

Two fragments of the fresco contain engravings representing a date in the Mayan calendar. Image: Reuters

Radiocarbon analysis revealed that the two fragments date back to at least 200 BC, making them the oldest evidence of a Mayan calendar ever excavated in the world, up to 150 years earlier than the previous record.

Lead author of the study David Stuart, Professor of Mesoamerican Art at the University of Texas, describes the find as “like two pieces of white plaster that fit in the palm of the hand, once attached to a stone wall “.

“The wall was purposefully destroyed by the ancient Maya when they remodeled their ritual space, which eventually evolved into a pyramid. The two fragments fit together and have inscriptions painted black. , opening with 7 Deer. The rest is very difficult to read,” added Stuart.





Simulate the Mayan holiday space.  Photo: Reuters

Simulate the Mayan holiday space. Image: Reuters

The calendar is one of the achievements of the Maya civilization, besides the 800-character writing system, temples, pyramids, palaces, observatories and sophisticated farming methods that do not use tools. metal or wheel.

San Bartolo was a central area during the Early Mayan period, which lasted from about 400 BC to AD 250. This era laid the groundwork for the flourishing of Mayan culture throughout the period that followed, known for cities like Tikal in Guatemala, Palenque in Mexico, and Copan in Honduras.

Doan Duong (According to Reuters)

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