tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Mon Nov 07 21:42:20 1994
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Correction on Mayan numbering system, was: The qelI-qam
- From: Julio Rodriguez Payan <[email protected]>
- Subject: Correction on Mayan numbering system, was: The qelI-qam
- Date: Mon, 7 Nov 1994 22:28:17 -0600 (CST)
- In-Reply-To: <[email protected]>
On Mon, 7 Nov 1994, Kevin A. Geiselman, Knight Errant wrote:
> No need to get absurd. The Mayans had a base-12 numbering system because
> of the lunar cycle dividing the year into 12 months. They chose to
> impose an 'unnatural' numbering system on their subjects for
> administrative or religious or some other reason. However, I'm sure a
> good deal of common counting was done in base-10 because the average
> illiterate couldn't figure out how to count in base-12 on his fingers.
>
> The point is, the Mayans thought their calendar was important enough to
> create a system whereby it permeated their culture. Official documents
> had to be in base-12 to pay homage to the lunar cycle. The 12-month
> motif was seen throughout art, archetecture, and mysticism.
>
Normal Mayan system was based on the number 20, not 12. The calendar was
based on 12 periods of 28 solar days, comparables to a moon cycle.
Example :
(=) Conch Zero
. dot One
.. Two
- dash Five
= d-dash Ten
So, .... is 19 :) Julio Rodriguez.
= Klingon Empire Terran Culture
- Delegation.
qapla'