Earliest named scientist in the ancient Americas identified as Maya astronomer

Archaeologists have identified the earliest known named scientist in the ancient Americas: a Maya astronomer-mathematician called Sak Tahn Waax, meaning "white-chested fox." The discovery gives a personal name to the intellectual tradition long associated with Maya civilisation, which was already renowned for advanced astronomical and mathematical knowledge.

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🔬 Science Sak Tahn Waax: name of the earliest known scientist in the Americas revealed ScienceAlert · 14d ago 🔬 Science Archaeologists identify Maya mathematician Sak Tahn Waax by name after 1,000 years Smithsonian Magazine · 13d ago 🔬 Science Mayan astronomer who signed calculations identified 1,200 years later Spider's Web · 9d ago

More on this topic

🔬 Science Sak Tahn Waax: name of the earliest known scientist in the Americas revealed ScienceAlert · 14d ago 🔬 Science Archaeologists identify Maya mathematician Sak Tahn Waax by name after 1,000 years Smithsonian Magazine · 13d ago 🔬 Science Mayan astronomer who signed calculations identified 1,200 years later Spider's Web · 9d ago