Astronomy and the Maya Calendar Correlation (Mayan Studies Series)

The Maya calendar anchors the study of Maya hieroglyphs. J.Eric S. Thompson's correlation of the Maya calendar with that of the Gregorian calendar is sound for the period of the Spanish conquest. When extended into earlier periods, however, Thompson's correlation proves less accurate. Campbell corrects this inaccuracy by careful analysis of Mayan and Aztec ethnography, and provides evidence that Mayan astronomers periodically adjusted their calendar to the winter solstice sun. The adjustments have been confirmed by matching dozens of eclipses, planetary conjunctions and specific manifestations of Venus in the (computer reconstructed) skies with the descriptions of events found in the Dresden Codex and on ancient monuments.