Learning Exercise

Mayan Astronomy

The Maya developed a very sophisticated study of astronomy, which enabled them to create a very accurate calendar and conduct mathematical calcuations, and make predictions. This site provides the opportunity to explore this preColumbian knowledge.

Course: Latin American History

Material:: Astronomy of Many Cultures
Date last modified:: September 18, 2008
Created by:: William Paquette
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Astronomy of Many Cultures

This annotated listing includes books, articles, and websites that deal with the astronomy of diverse cultures around... see more

Material Type:: Reference Material
Author:: Andrew Fraknoi, Foothill College
User Rating:: 5 stars

Exercise

Instructions: Read the Introduction. SCROLL down to and CLICK Astronomy of Central America (Maya and Aztec Cultures). CLICK Find your birthday in the Maya Calendar. Question # 1: Calculate your birthday in the Maya Calendar. CLICK and Read Maya Astronomy Page (Dawn Jenkins), Maya Astronomy Page (Leslie Jenkins), MesoAmerican Archaeoastronomy (James Jacobs), and Venus and the Maya (about Uxmal). Write a 5-7 page paper describing the Mayan understanding of astronomy.

Additional Information: None.

Disciplines

Audience

Technical Notes

None.

Requirements

None.

Topics

Astronomy Maya Mexico Americas

Type of Task

Learning Objectives

To provide students with a more detailed understanding of the Maya development of astronomy, their calendar system, and study of the planets.

Assessment

5-7 page paper.