Episodes
The Maya Calendar's Lunar Eclipse Tables
Lucas and Luna explore how the Maya tracked lunar eclipses centuries before Copernicus, decoding the Dresden Codex's eclipse tables and the 405-month cycle that predicted eclipses with startling accuracy. The conversation traces the tables' origins to Copán and Palenque, explicates the 6-month gap rule, and grapples with the mystery of why a culture with no optical instruments could correct its predictions against the new moon. Along the way, they revisit the 2012 myth with fresh clarity and…
The Maya Calendar's Living Fire: Rituals That Endure
Forget the 2012 hype—the Maya calendar is still ticking in the highlands of Guatemala. In this episode, Lucas and Luna travel to the towns of Momostenango and Santiago Atitlán, where daykeepers, or aj q'ij, still count the 260-day Tzolk'in and kindle fires for ceremonies. We hear about the 1970s Pan-Maya revival, when outsiders dismissed these practices as superstition, and how elders like Tata Pedro kept the knowledge alive. We meet Martín Prechtel, an American who studied with a local shaman…
The Maya Calendar's Solar Eclipse Secrets
In Episode 201 of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna step into the shadow of the Maya solar eclipse — a celestial event the Maya tracked with astonishing precision, and one they may have woven into their very architecture. From the Dresden Codex's eclipse tables to the serpent shadow on El Castillo at Chichén Itzá, this conversation uncovers how the Maya predicted eclipses, what they feared during them, and the possible connection between solar eclipses and the myth of the 'star war' — a cosmic…
The Mayan Calendar's Living Legacy in the Yucatán
For episode 200, Lucas and Luna step into the modern Yucatán to explore how the ancient Maya calendar survives today. They visit the jaguar men or aj k'ij, who still read the Tzolk'in for healing, planting, and ceremonies. They trace the calendar's path through the 16th century Chilam Balam books, where prophecies mingled with Christian elements, and see how the 260-day count survived colonial suppression. They examine the K'atun prophecies that shaped Maya resistance during the Caste War and…
The Maya Calendar's 260-Day Count and the K'iche' Hero Twins
Episode 199 of Fexingo History turns to the 260-day count, the Tzolk'in, and the K'iche' Maya epic Popol Vuh. Lucas and Luna explore how the sacred calendar structured the mythic journey of the Hero Twins, Hunahpu and Xbalanque, through the underworld Xibalba. They discuss the significance of the number thirteen, the role of the maize god, and how the calendar's cycles shaped ritual and daily life. The conversation also touches on the colonial-era transcription of the Popol Vuh and what it…
The Maya Calendar's Ghost: The Disappearance of the K'atun Round
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore one of the most puzzling mysteries of Maya timekeeping: why the classic K'atun Round—the 20-year cycle that anchored monumental inscriptions and colossal stelae for centuries—seemingly vanished from the written record around the ninth century. They trace its last appearances at Copán and Palenque, examine the collapse-era turmoil that may have disrupted the priestly caste, and consider the possibility that the cycle survived not in stone but in the oral…
The Maya Calendar's 13 B'ak'tuns: A Full Cycle's Journey
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the Maya Long Count's grand cycle of 13 b'ak'tuns — roughly 5,125 years — and what it meant for the ancient Maya and for us today. They journey from the cycle's mythical zero date in 3114 BCE to the famous 2012 turning point, decoding the structure of b'ak'tuns, k'atuns, and tuns along the way. Lucas explains how the Maya viewed time as cyclical, not linear, and why the completion of a b'ak'tun was a moment for celebration, renewal, and…
The Mayan Calendar's Zero: When Time Begins
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Maya concept of zero and the Long Count's creation date. They discuss how the Maya developed a fully functional zero centuries before Europe, and what the famous 13.0.0.0.0 4 Ajaw 8 Kumk'u date on Stela C at Quiriguá actually commemorates. The conversation covers the base-20 counting system, the role of the zero in the Long Count's place-value notation, and how later Maya rulers used the zero to frame their own reigns within a cosmic timeline. They…
The Mayan Calendar's 2012 Prophecy in Modern Media
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how the ancient Maya were master timekeepers, creating a complex calendar system that tracked the movements of the sun, moon, and stars with remarkable precision. They dive into the 260-day sacred round, the 365-day solar year, and the Long Count that measured vast cosmic cycles. The conversation reveals how the Maya used their calendars not just for agriculture and rituals, but to structure their entire worldview, from the timing of wars to the…
The Mayan Calendar's 2012 Prophecy in Modern Media
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how the ancient Maya calendar became a global pop culture phenomenon in 2012. They trace the origins of the 2012 myth, from the Tortuguero Monument 6 inscription mentioning Bolon Yokte' to the misinterpretations by New Age authors like José Argüelles. The conversation also covers the role of the Maya themselves in the revival of their calendar traditions, as well as the scientific and scholarly responses to the apocalyptic predictions. Along the way, they…
The Maya Calendar's Number 13 and the K'atun Prophecies
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Maya calendar's deep fascination with the number 13, from the 13 b'ak'tuns of the Long Count to the 13 k'atuns of the Short Count. They dig into the prophetic books of the Chilam Balam, where 13 k'atuns cycle through history, and discuss how 13 Ajaw became a k'atun of hidden omens. Along the way, they unpack the 13 levels of the Maya sky, the 13 gods of the Upper World, and how the number weaves through everything from the 260-day tzolk'in to the…
The Maya Calendar and the Cacao Economy
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how the Maya calendar intertwined with one of Mesoamerica's most prized commodities: cacao. From the cacao tree's sacred status to its use as currency, they trace the journey of this 'food of the gods' through Maya society. Lucas explains how cacao beans were used in trade, tribute, and even ritual offerings, and how the 260-day Tzolk'in calendar determined the best times for planting and harvesting cacao groves. The conversation also touches on the role…
The Maya Calendar's Midnight: The 2012 Phenomenon
In this episode, Lucas and Luna revisit the 2012 phenomenon that gripped the world and trace its roots back to a single carved stone in Tortuguero, Mexico. They unpack the prophecy of Bolon Yokte', the god of war and underworld, and how a misunderstanding of the Long Count's 13th b'ak'tun sparked a global panic. Along the way, they explore the rich symbolism of the number 13 in Maya cosmology, the meticulous astronomy behind the calendar, and the actual role of the aj k'ij, or daykeeper, who…
The Maya Calendar's 819-Day Count: A Cosmic Grid
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the 819-day count, one of the most enigmatic cycles in the Maya calendar. Discover how this cycle, tied to the planet Jupiter, its synodic period, and the cardinal directions, may have functioned as a cosmic grid connecting gods, planets, and the sacred landscape. Learn about the recent discovery at Palenque that extended the count to 819 days, matching Jupiter's synodic period, and how inscriptions at sites like Chichén Itzá and Copán used this cycle to…
Maya Timekeepers: How Priests Read Celestial Signs
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the role of Maya priest-astronomers — the keepers of the calendar who read eclipses, tracked Venus, and timed wars. We look at how these specialists rose with the Classic Maya city-states, the training and tools they used, and the political power they held. We examine specific examples like the Dresden Codex’s eclipse tables, the Venus table tied to Chak Ek’, and the rituals led by priests during Wayeb’. We also consider the Spanish colonial disruption of…
The Maya Calendar and the Sky Serpent: K'uk'ulkan's Path
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how the Maya merged astronomy with architecture in the pyramid of K'uk'ulkan at Chichén Itzá — the famous equinox serpent. They trace the cult of the feathered serpent from earlier Maya cities like Teotihuacan and Tikal, and unpack how the pyramid's 365-day calendar alignment, its four stairways of 91 steps, and the nine levels of the underworld all encode a single cosmic narrative. The conversation touches on the 260-day Tzolk'in and the 365-day Haab'…
The Maya Calendar's 2012 Myth and Real History
In 2012, the world didn't end—but the Maya calendar's 13th b'ak'tun did. This episode unpacks the modern 2012 phenomenon and what it gets wrong about ancient Maya timekeeping. Lucas and Luna dig into the actual inscriptions—Tortuguero Monument 6 and the Comalcalco brick—that mention Bolon Yokte' at the end of the 13th b'ak'tun. They trace how New Age authors, like José Argüelles and his Dreamspell, twisted the Tzolk'in into something the Maya would never recognize. They also explore the real…
Pakal's Cosmic Blueprint: Building Palenque by the Calendar
This episode of The Mayan Calendar series zooms in on the city of Palenque and its greatest ruler, K'inich Janaab' Pakal (603–683 CE). We examine how Maya scribes used the Long Count calendar not just to track time but to orchestrate royal legitimacy. The Temple of the Inscriptions, Pakal's funerary monument, is packed with dates — including the pivotal 9.12.11.5.18 (8 Ahau 13 Mol) — that connect Pakal's reign to creation myths, the birth of deities, and celestial events. We break down what…
The Maya Calendar and the Caste War Prophecy
In 1847, Maya rebels in Yucatán rose up against Mexican rule, driven by a centuries-old prophecy from the Chilam Balam books. This episode follows the Caste War of Yucatán and how the Maya used the Katun cycle—specifically the prophecy of Katun 13 Ajaw—to time their revolt. We explore the role of the Talking Cross at Chan Santa Cruz, the leadership of Jacinto Pat and Cecilio Chi, and how the calendar gave structure to a rebellion that lasted over fifty years. Learn how the postclassic Maya…
Venus and War: The Maya Calendar's Battle Clock
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the Maya's astonishingly accurate Venus cycle and its role in timing warfare and ritual. Drawing on the Dresden Codex Venus table, they explain how scribes tracked the 584-day synodic period of Chak Ek', the morning star, and linked it to the god of war. They discuss the intervals when the Maya would and would not go to battle, the 104-year cycle aligning Venus and the Calendar Round, and the connection to K'uk'ulkan. Specific examples…
Maya Solar Observatories and the Calendar's Astronomical Roots
In Episode 183, Lucas and Luna step into the shadow of an E-Group pyramid at Uaxactún, where the Maya tracked the sun's passage across the sky. They explore how structures like the Caracol at Chichén Itzá and El Castillo's equinox serpent encode the Haab' solar calendar. From the zenith days to the solstice alignments, this conversation reveals the precision behind the calendar's agricultural and ritual cycles. We also touch on the ongoing debate about whether these alignments were intentional…
The Maya Calendar Round: When Two Clocks Strike the Same Hour
Ever wondered how the Maya tracked time across everyday life and grand cycles? Episode 182 dives into the Calendar Round — the 52-year cycle created by interlocking the sacred 260-day Tzolk'in and the solar 365-day Haab'. Discover how this system worked mathematically (the least common multiple of 260 and 365 is 18,980 days), what happened when a Calendar Round ended (renewal rituals, rebuilding houses, similar to the Aztec New Fire ceremony), and how Maya scribes recorded dates in both systems…
The Burning of Maya Books at Maní and the Lost Calendar
In 1562, Spanish friar Diego de Landa ordered the destruction of thousands of Maya hieroglyphic books at Maní, Yucatán. This episode explores what was lost—and what survived—of the Maya calendar. We examine the only four surviving codices (Dresden, Madrid, Paris, and the controversial Grolier), and the irony that Landa himself later recorded crucial details of the calendar in his Relación de las cosas de Yucatán. How much of Maya timekeeping remains a mystery because of that fiery day? And what…
The Maya Calendar and the Sacred Ballgame
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the deep connection between the Maya calendar and the sacred ballgame, pitz. Far from mere entertainment, the ballgame was a ritual act tied to cosmic cycles, creation myths, and political power. They discuss how specific calendar dates—like 8 Ajaw—were chosen for games, how the Hero Twins from the Popol Vuh used the ballcourt to defeat the lords of Xibalba, and how Maya rulers performed the game to reenact the sun's journey. They also…
Maya Calendar and Agriculture: Planting by the Tzolk'in
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore how the ancient Maya 260-day sacred calendar, the Tzolk'in, guided everyday agriculture. From planting maize to timing the harvest, each day had a specific energy—1 Ik for wind and rain, 8 Ajaw for leadership, and more. Lucas explains the cycle's astronomical and ritual roots, and how contemporary Maya farmers in Guatemala and Yucatán still consult day keepers (aj k'ij) for crop success. The conversation also touches on the Haab'…
The Popol Vuh and the Maya Calendar: Creation, Hero Twins, and the 260-Day Cycle
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the connections between the Maya calendar and the Popol Vuh, the K'iche' Maya creation epic recorded after the Spanish conquest. They discuss how the 260-day Tzolk'in cycle is embedded in the story of the Hero Twins Hunahpu and Xbalanque, their trials in the underworld of Xibalba, and the eventual creation of humans from maize dough. The episode delves into the calendar's role in ritual and agriculture, the significance of specific dates like 4 Ajaw, and…
Maya Calendar Classic Maya Collapse Crisis of Faith
For the ancient Maya, the Long Count calendar was more than a way to measure time: it was a political tool that divine kings used to project stability and authority. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how the Classic Maya collapse of the eighth and ninth centuries shook the very foundations of that calendar ideology. As cities like Tikal and Copán fell, the last Long Count dates were carved on stelae that would never be completed. We examine the link between kingly power and timekeeping…
The Maya Calendar Correlation Puzzle: How We Map Time
In this episode, Lucas and Luna tackle a fundamental puzzle of Maya studies: how do we align the Maya Long Count with our modern calendar? They explore the GMT (Goodman-Martínez-Thompson) correlation, the evidence from colonial records and astronomical events like eclipses in the Dresden Codex, and the ongoing debates with alternative correlations such as Spinden and 584283. Along the way, they discuss how a two-day difference can affect our understanding of history and the importance of this…
The Maya Calendar's Ch'orti' Moon Glyph and Lunar Eclipses
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore a lesser-known aspect of Maya timekeeping: the Ch'orti' glyph for the moon and how it connects to the Maya's sophisticated understanding of lunar eclipses. Drawing on the Dresden Codex's eclipse tables and the work of epigraphers like Nikolai Grube and Linda Schele, they discuss how Maya priests calculated eclipse seasons using the Tzolk'in and Haab' cycles. Lucas explains the Ch'orti' term 'ajaw' used for the moon and its role in lunar divination, while…
Maya Calendar's Moon and Eclipse Tables: Cosmic Precision
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Maya's remarkable understanding of lunar cycles and eclipses, as recorded in the Dresden Codex's eclipse tables. They discuss how Maya astronomers tracked the moon's phases, predicted solar and lunar eclipses, and tied these events to gods like the Moon Goddess Ix Chel and the serpent deity K'uk'ulkan. The conversation covers the 177-day half-year cycle, the 405-month eclipse cycle, and the ritual significance of eclipses as times of cosmic imbalance.…
The Maya Calendar's 13 K'atun Cycle and the Fall of Chichén Itzá
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the role of the Maya calendar's 13 K'atun cycle in the political history of Chichén Itzá. They examine how K'atun 8 Ajaw, a 256-year repeating cycle, was used to legitimize rulers and predict dynastic changes. The conversation focuses on the controversial figure Hunac Ceel, who allegedly manipulated the prophecy of K'atun 8 Ajaw to overthrow the ruling Cocom dynasty at Mayapán and later claimed descent from the fallen city of Chichén Itzá. The hosts…
The Maya Calendar's 260-Day Cholq'ij and the 13 Moon Cycle
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the 260-day Cholq'ij calendar and its connection to the 13 moon cycle. They discuss how the Cholq'ij was used for divination and daily life, the role of the aj k'ij (daykeeper), and the significance of the 13 tones of creation. They delve into the Maya creation myth from the Popol Vuh, the 13 B'ak'tun cycle, and how the 13 moons relate to the Long Count. The episode also touches on the 13 K'atun cycle and the Chilam Balam prophecies, tying together the…
The Maya Calendar's Moon Goddess and the Eclipse Tables
In this episode, Lucas and Luna dive into the Dresden Codex's eclipse tables, exploring how Maya astronomers predicted solar and lunar eclipses with remarkable accuracy. They discuss the role of the moon goddess Ix Chel, the 177-day eclipse season, and the Long Count dates that marked celestial events. Learn about the 819-day count's connection to eclipses, the glyphs for solar and lunar eclipses, and how these predictions served both practical and ritual purposes. The conversation also touches…
Maya Calendar's 260-Day Cholq'ij: The Cosmic Birth Chart
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the 260-day Cholq'ij calendar, the sacred cycle that Maya daykeepers still use today for divination and naming. They trace its origins to the 260-day human gestation period and its alignment with the agricultural cycle and the zenith passage of the sun. The hosts discuss how each day carries a specific energy, with a name and number combination that forms a unique spiritual signature, similar to a horoscope. They examine the role of the aj k'ij, or…
The Maya Calendar's 364-Day Short Count: A 256-Year Political Cycle
Most people think of the Maya Long Count when they hear 'Maya calendar', but the Classic Maya also tracked time in a 364-day cycle called the 'Short Count' — a repeating 13-K'atun period that structured political prophecy for over 256 years. This episode dives into how the Short Count was used to predict the rise and fall of dynasties, legitimize rulers, and even forecast conquest. We explore the famous cycle of K'atun 8 Ajaw, which marked the fall of Mayapán in the 15th century, and how the…
The Maya Calendar and the 819-Day Count: A Cosmic Puzzle
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the enigmatic 819-day count of the Maya calendar, a cycle tied to Jupiter, Saturn, and a four-directional planetary system. They discuss how this count was used in rituals, the role of the god Chak Ek' (Venus as a war deity), and the recent breakthrough by anthropologists John Linden and Victoria Bricker in deciphering its alignment with the synodic periods of Jupiter and Saturn over a 45-year period. The conversation also touches on the Maya's…
Maya Calendar's Wayeb': The Five Unlucky Days
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Wayeb', the five nameless, perilous days at the end of the Maya Haab' calendar. They discuss how the Maya viewed this period as a time when the world teetered on the edge of chaos, when portals between the living and the dead opened, and when ordinary rules of time and society were suspended. Lucas explains the rituals performed to ward off misfortune, including fasting, abstinence, and the burning of copal incense, drawing on evidence from Diego de…
Decoding the Maya Glyph for 'Seat of Power'
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore a single Maya hieroglyph: the 'k'uhul ajaw' glyph, or 'holy lord', and its companion 'ochk'in kaloomte', 'western king'. They trace the glyph's appearance on Tikal's Stela 31, erected around 445 CE by the 19th king, K'an Chitam. The conversation reveals how war captions and accession statements were written, using the 'ch'ak' or 'axe' verb to record conquests. Lucas explains the 'Tikal–Calakmul Star War' recorded on Stela 5 from Tikal's lost vassal…
The Maya Calendar's K'atun 8 Ajaw: The Fall of Mayapán
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Short Count prophecy of K'atun 8 Ajaw and its role in the collapse of Mayapán, the last great Maya capital of the Postclassic period. Drawing on the Chilam Balam books, they discuss how the ruling Cocom dynasty was overthrown around 1441 CE, the arrival of Hunac Ceel, and the political infighting that led to the city's abandonment. They also examine the broader pattern of cyclical time in Maya thought—how history repeats itself within the 256-year…
Maya Calendar's 13 B'ak'tun and the Tortuguero Prophecy
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the real story behind the Maya Long Count's 13th b'ak'tun and the only known monument that explicitly references the date December 21, 2012: Tortuguero Monument 6. They discuss how modern misunderstandings turned a royal dedication into a global doomsday prophecy. Lucas explains the hieroglyphic text, the role of the god Bolon Yokte', and what the Maya actually believed about the end of a b'ak'tun. They also touch on how José Argüelles' 1974 book 'The…
The Maya Calendar's K'uhul Ajaw: Divine Kings and Time
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how Maya rulers used the calendar to legitimize their divine authority. They focus on K'inich Janaab' Pakal of Palenque, whose accession and death were carefully aligned with key calendar dates like 9.9.2.4.8 (5 Lamat 1 Mol) and 9.12.11.5.18 (6 Etz'nab' 11 Yax). Lucas explains the concept of k'uhul ajaw, or holy lord, and how the Long Count, Tzolk'in, and Haab' were woven into royal narratives. The episode also covers the use of calendar stelae to record…
The Maya Calendar's 13 K'atun Cycle: A 256-Year Political Prophecy
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Maya concept of the 13 K'atun cycle, a 256-year period that governed not just time but politics and prophecy in the Postclassic Yucatán. They examine how the Chilam Balam books recorded a repeating series of thirteen 20-year K'atuns, each with a specific fate, and how Maya rulers used these cycles to legitimize power or predict upheaval. The episode focuses on the 11th K'atun (10 Ajaw) associated with the arrival of the Spanish under Francisco de…
The Maya Calendar and the Grolier Codex: A Forgery or a Masterwork
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna dive into the controversial Grolier Codex, one of only four surviving Maya books. Discovered in the 1960s and long dismissed as a forgery, recent scientific testing has confirmed its authenticity, revealing a Venus almanac that challenges our understanding of Maya astronomy. Lucas explains how the codex's 819-day count and Venus cycle tables align with the Dresden Codex, and why some scholars still doubt its origins. Join them as they explore…
The Maya Calendar and the Chilam Balam Prophecies
In Episode 160, Lucas and Luna explore the Books of Chilam Balam — prophetic texts written in Yucatec Maya using Latin script after the Spanish conquest. These books blend Maya calendar traditions with Christian and European influences, offering a unique window into how the Maya preserved their knowledge under colonial rule. We dive into the Chilam Balam of Chumayel, its katun prophecies, and the figure of the jaguar priest who foretold cycles of calamity and renewal. The discussion touches on…
The Maya Calendar and the Madrid Codex's Bee God Rituals
We dive into the Madrid Codex, one of only four surviving Maya books, and its detailed rituals for beekeeping and honey production. Lucas explains how the Maya, particularly in the Yucatán, managed stingless bees (Melipona beecheii), which were prized for their honey used in rituals, medicine, and as a sweetener. The codex describes ceremonies tied to the Tzolk'in calendar, with specific days like 1 Ajaw and 8 Ajaw dedicated to the Bee God, Ah-Muzen-Cab. We explore the ecological and economic…
Maya Calendar's 13 B'ak'tun and the Tortuguero Prophecy
In this episode, Lucas and Luna dive into the Maya Long Count's 13th b'ak'tun, the famous 2012 prophecy from Tortuguero Monument 6, and the enigmatic deity Bolon Yokte'. They explore what the monument actually says, how scholars like Sven Gronemeyer and Barbara MacLeod deciphered it, and how the prophecy connects to larger cycles of creation and destruction in Maya cosmology. The conversation also touches on the role of ruler B'alam Ajaw of Tortuguero, the monument's fragmented history, and how…
Maya Calendar 2012: The Real Story Behind the End
In 2012, the world held its breath for a Mayan apocalypse that never came. But where did the prophecy actually come from? In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna dig into the real history behind the 2012 phenomenon. They examine the famous Tortuguero Monument 6, which mentions the date 13.0.0.0.0 4 Ajaw 3 K'ank'in and the god Bolon Yokte'. They explore how a handful of misinterpreted glyphs spiraled into a global pop-culture obsession, fueled by New Age writers like José Argüelles…
Maya Calendar 2012: The True Story Behind the End of the World
In 2012, the world held its breath as a misinterpretation of the Maya calendar sparked global fears of apocalypse. But what did the Maya actually believe about the end of the 13th Bak'tun? In this episode, Lucas and Luna cut through the myth to explore the real history: the Long Count calendar, the prophecy at Tortuguero Monument 6, and the enigmatic god Bolon Yokte'. They trace how a field of scholarly study became a pop-culture phenomenon, from José Argüelles's 'Harmonic Convergence' to…
Venus, War, and the Maya Calendar's Star Wars
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Maya's sophisticated tracking of Venus and its role in warfare. They discuss the Dresden Codex Venus tables, the 584-day synodic period, and how rulers timed battles and ceremonies to the heliacal rise of Chak Ek', the morning star. Lucas explains the concept of 'star war' (ch'ak) and how sites like Tikal and Calakmul used Venus alignments to legitimize conquest. They also examine the recent discovery of the 819-day count's planetary correlations…
Maya Calendar's 13 K'atun: The Baktun 13 Ceremony at Tikal
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Maya Long Count's 13 K'atun cycle, focusing on the massive 13.0.0.0.0 ceremony at Tikal in AD 830. They discuss how the 13 K'atun was divided, the role of Lord 17 Jaguar, and the fire drilling ritual at the Twin Pyramid Complex. They also examine how this cycle squared with the Tzolk'in and Haab', and why the completion of 13 b'ak'tuns was a time of renewal, not apocalypse—a point often confused with the 2012 myth. #MayaCalendar #13K'atun #Tikal…
Showing the latest 50 episodes. The full archive of 203 is on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and every major podcast app — or via the RSS feed above.