Author |
Bowditch, Charles P. (Charles Pickering), 1842-1921 |
LoC No. |
06045148
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Title |
Mayan Nomenclature
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Original Publication |
United Kingdom: Cambridge The University Press,1906.
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Note |
Reading ease score: 73.2 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
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Credits |
The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
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Summary |
"Mayan Nomenclature" by Charles P. Bowditch is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. The book delves into the complex numeral system used by the Maya civilization, specifically focusing on their methods of counting time and the specific terminology employed in their calendrical practices. In this work, Bowditch meticulously analyzes the Maya calendar systems, particularly the distinctions between various periods such as "katun," "tun," and "ahau." He challenges previous interpretations of these terms, providing evidence from ancient texts and inscriptions, primarily the Books of Chilan Balam, to argue against common misconceptions. Bowditch elaborates on the importance of a 360-day period called "tun" and how it relates to the larger period of "katun." His investigation offers insights into how the Maya conceptualized time, highlighting their numerical framework that incorporates a unique vigesimal (base-20) structure for specific periods while revealing inconsistencies in previous scholarly interpretations. Overall, Bowditch’s work serves as both a critical discourse on Maya nomenclature and a vital resource for understanding Maya timekeeping practices. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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Language |
English |
LoC Class |
PM: Language and Literatures: Indigenous American and Artificial Languages
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Subject |
Maya calendar
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Category |
Text |
EBook-No. |
67879 |
Release Date |
Apr 20, 2022 |
Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
Downloads |
52 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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