Text written in Basque and translated automatically by Elia without any subsequent editing. SEE ORIGINAL

The meaning and author of a Mayan mathematical formula are clarified

In some hieroglyphics written about 1200 years ago, the name of a Mayan mathematician and astronomer has been found, along with mathematical formulas.

Mathematical formulas have been found in the Mayan site of Xultun in Guatemala and their author has also been identified: Sak Tahn Waax (White Breast Fox). in 2011 they excavated a chamber there and found human figures and hieroglyphic texts on the inner walls. The authors have been exploring these hieroglyphics and believe this chamber to be C. O. It was the work area of the scribes of the 8th century.

Specifically, they studied a series of hieroglyphics, called “Text 19”. This set of hieroglyphics is L-shaped and 10 cm long and is composed of 11 hieroglyphics. The researchers found that the first 9 hieroglyphics encoded a calculation that linked the astronomical cycles of Venus and Mars, the solar year, and various ritual calendars.

“The Mayans sometimes did mathematics for pleasure.”

In addition, it was concluded that the 10th hieroglyph meant “so it says”, while the last hieroglyph corresponded to a name: Sak Tahn Waax, which in classical Maya means “White Breast Fox”. These last inscriptions suggest that this person confessed to himself the authorship of the calculation. According to the researchers, it is a male name because it does not have a prefix and female names needed a prefix.

It is not the first mathematical formula to be found in a Mayan site, but it is the first to include the author. Until now, the names of Mayan mathematicians and astronomers were unknown.

In addition, the authors highlight the complexity of the registered mathematical formulas, which are pioneers compared to the mathematics of contemporary civilizations. They believe that these hieroglyphics are a demonstration of mathematical ability and show that the Mayans sometimes did mathematics for pleasure.