The Apotheosis of Janaab' Pakal: Science, History, and Religion at Classic Maya PalenqueTakes up anew the riddles within a number of Maya hieroglyphic inscriptions first recognised by Floyd Lounsbury. Gerardo Aldana unpacks these mathematical riddles using an approach grounded in a reading of the texts made possible by recent advances in decipherment. Using a history of science methodology, he expands upon (and sometimes questions) the foundational work of archaeoastronomers. Aldana follows three lines of investigation: a reading of the hieroglyphic inscriptions of the Classic period (ad250-900), mathematical analysis to recover Classic Maya astronomical practice, and a historiography of Maya astronomy. During troubled times in Palenque, Aldana contends, Kan Balam II devised a means to preserve the legitimacy of his ruling dynasty. He celebrated a re-creation of the city as a contemporary analogue of a mythical Creation on three levels: monumental construction for a public audience, artistic patronage for an elite audience, and a secret mathematical astronomical language only for rulers-elect. Discussing all of these efforts, Aldana focuses on the recovery of the secret language and its historical context. |
Contents
New Life at Baakal | 23 |
Recovering Maya Astronomy | 41 |
Constructing Portals | 71 |
Copyright | |
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accession Ajaw ajawtahk Aldana ancient Maya appears architectural associated astronomical astronumerology B'ahlam birth Calendar celestial ceremony Chan Chapter Classic Maya communication complex connection considered constructed Creation culture death depicted dynasty early East example father Figure Freidel GI's given glyph gods Grube hieroglyphic House important included intellectual interest interpretation interval Janaab K'an Joy K'awiil Kan B'ahlam knowledge known language later Long Count Lounsbury maintained mathematical Mathews Maya hieroglyphic means Muwaan Mat noted numerological Pakal Palenque passage patronized period political position possible presented Press puzzle reading recognized recorded recovered refer reveal ritual Robertson royal ruler Schele scholars specific stone structure Stuart studies suggest Table tablet Temple of Inscriptions throne Tikal tion tree Triad Group Underworld University Venus writing