Archaeologists Discover Name of Ancient Mayan Astronomer and Mathematician

Archaeologists have successfully transcribed mural symbols from Mayan ruins, revealing the name of an ancient astronomer and mathematician for the first time. Guatemala’s Ministry of Culture announced this breakthrough on Monday.

The name “White-chested Fox” was uncovered in drawings from 400 BC to 900 AD at the San Bartolo-Xultun archaeological site, located near the Mexican border. These findings offer a significant insight into the intellectual pursuits of the Maya civilization.

Cultural Minister Luis Mendez shared that researchers at Xultun discovered a comprehensive mathematical and astronomical formula authored by Sak Tahn Waax, known as White-chested Fox. This is the only known work from a mathematician of the Maya Classic period, a time marked as the pinnacle of Mesoamerican civilization.

The accomplishment was achieved through epigraphic analysis of over 50 microtexts related to mathematics and astronomy found on the walls. These symbols allowed researchers to ascertain the astronomer’s identity and uncover calculations and tables utilizing astronomical and calendrical time units.

The research team employed various methods, including drawings, photographs, and scans to analyze the inscriptions. Digital enhancements led to the deciphering of 11 hieroglyphs, all within a context where art, science, mathematics, and daily life intersected, as explained by Mendez.

The Maya civilization’s decline began around 900 AD, culminating with the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. Last year, the Ministry of Culture announced unearthed remains of a Mayan city nearly 3,000 years old in northern Guatemala. Previously in 2024, a sprawling Maya city was found in Mexico by an American doctoral student. These discoveries were facilitated by advanced laser technology capable of penetrating dense jungle canopies.

This recent finding expands understanding of the Mayan civilization’s intellectual and cultural heritage, marking a significant achievement for historical and archaeological research in the region.