Scientists Reveal How the Maya Predicted Eclipses for Centuries
7 comments
·November 14, 2025temperceve
hydrogen7800
This book was real eye-opening for me. I heard about it when it was first released, but sort of dismissed it since on its face it seemed like just another pop alt-history, "you won't learn this in school" book. But it is well researched, and well regarded by historians[0].
[0] One example:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1931-0846.2006...
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skeezyjefferson
isnt it more embarrasing that they believed the sun needed help to reappear? that they mistook the feelings in their head to be real, kind of how people think they can feel or talk to a god? we love to pat ourselves on the back but never take a look at how stupid we actually are, most people most of the time. i feel regularly embarrassed at the mistakes we make
ainiriand
That attitude towards this issue, while natural, brings nothing positive to you. You should try to embrace our limitations, use them to play in your favor if needed, and be amazed at the diversity and curiosity of human thought. We will conquer the darkness, bit by bit.
yubblegum
Complete clickbait. There is not even a transitory appearance of a "how". tldr; table is rebuilt at some point prior to the great cycle's end. How the table is built and just how did the Maya make the calculations? Crickets.
bradrn
The actual paper seems to have more information: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adt9039
1491 ... if you have never read it was very eye opening as to how badass all these civilizations were. Their loss today would be similar to as if we suddenly lost 99% of all China.