S3 E4 260 Days in Mesoamerica

The 260 day calendar of Mesoamerica is its oldest and most enduring measurement of time.  In this episode I’ll explain how it works, what it means to modern Maya people, and how the Dresden Codex contains important links between the past and present uses of the sacred Tzolk’in calendar.

Show Notes:

My paper on Groups of Four and Five in the Dresden Codex:

https://www.mayaexploration.org/pdf/DresdenCodex_First23Pages.pdf

My Thesis on the first 23 pages of the Dresden Codex

https://www.mayaexploration.org/pdf/DresdenCodex1-23.pdf


5 Replies to “S3 E4 260 Days in Mesoamerica”

  1. David Risch

    Good summary of the 260 day calendar and the modern Maya. Do you have plans to make an Android version of your iPhone calculator. I have used online calculators for some of my relatives when I send their birthday cards but I would also like to do it on the fly when I am talking to someone (i.e. at the museum). I also send the Maya and Aztec Zodiac of their personalities for their birthdate for kicks.

  2. Leonide Martin

    Really enjoyed this episode on the 260 day calendar. I’ve made somewhat of a study of calendars, when living in Mexico took classes with an Itza daykeeper. Your explanations make lots of sense to me, especially using the days for divination. I downloaded your paper to study further. The Tzolk’in days and numbers having particular significance in people’s characteristics and destinies was something I used often in my Maya queens novels, particularly planning the birth day of rulers. Many thanks!

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“ArchaeoEd” stands for archaeology education, but its also Ed talking about his 30+ years as an archaeologist