Mayan Nomenclature

"Mayan Nomenclature" by Charles P. Bowditch is a scholarly exploration of the Maya civilization's intricate timekeeping system. The book examines how the Maya counted time, focusing especially on the words they used in their calendar, such as "katun," "tun," and "ahau." Bowditch carefully looks at Maya calendar systems and uses ancient texts and inscriptions from the Books of Chilan Balam to question common understandings of these terms. He emphasizes the importance of the 360-day "tun" period and its relationship to the longer "katun" cycle. Bowditch's research offers a deeper comprehension of how the Maya viewed time, highlighting their special number system based on 20 for certain periods, and points out errors in previous experts' ideas. The book is both a discussion of Maya words and an important guide to understanding Maya time practices.