Archaeologists Just Found the Earliest Known Named Scientist in the Ancient Americas
Archaeologists have identified Sak Tahn Waax, the earliest known named scientist in the ancient Americas, through decoded Maya wall writings.
Velocity
How fast coverage is spreading — measured hourly from article rate × source diversity. How this works →
The brief
Researchers have deciphered the name of a Maya astronomer-mathematician, Sak Tahn Waax. The identification comes from the analysis of 1,200-year-old calculations and astronomical formulas found in wall writings.
Coverage from National Geographic, New Scientist, and Phys.org emphasizes that this is the first time a Maya astronomer has been named. ScienceAlert and Gizmodo describe the individual as a revered scientist and the earliest known named scientist in the region.
Future developments depend on the continued decoding of these astronomical formulas and the further study of the wall writings associated with Sak Tahn Waax.
Synthesized by Archynetys from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: all claims supported by sources Updated just now.
Quick answers
Who is the identified scientist?
The scientist is a Maya astronomer-mathematician named Sak Tahn Waax.
How old are the records containing the name?
The calculations found in the wall writings are 1,200 years old.
What exactly was decoded alongside the name?
The name was decoded alongside an astronomical formula.
Coverage (5)
- We Finally Know The Name of a Revered Maya Astronomer-Mathematician: Sak Tahn Waax ScienceAlert · 6h ago
- Hidden in Maya wall writings: A named astronomer emerges from 1,200-year-old calculations Phys.org · 6h ago
- Maya mathematician’s name decoded alongside astronomical formula New Scientist · 6h ago
- Archaeologists decipher the name of a Maya astronomer for the first time National Geographic · 6h ago
- Archaeologists Just Found the Earliest Known Named Scientist in the Ancient Americas Gizmodo · 6h ago
Topics
From around our network
Related trends
Why is Venus hotter than Mercury, when Mercury is closer to the Sun?
Recent coverage explores the paradox of Venus maintaining higher temperatures than Mercury despite being further from the Sun.
Space jam: astronomers detect ‘raspberry sugar’ on dust cloud in Milky Way
Astronomers have detected a key type of sugar within a dust cloud near the center of the Milky Way galaxy.
6,000-year-old infant from ancient Mesopotamia shows one of the world's oldest signs of child abuse
Archaeologists in Syria have discovered a 6,000-year-old infant with broken ribs, potentially representing one of the world's earliest documented cases of child abuse.
Space junk debris cloud discovered in high-traffic orbit 'is a potential minefield' for the costliest satellites
A debris cloud of untrackable, small-scale space junk has been discovered in a high-traffic orbit, threatening the world's most expensive satellites.
Natural sugar discovered in cloud of dust and gas near centre of Milky Way
Astronomers have detected a four-carbon sugar for the first time in interstellar space near the center of the Milky Way.
Perseid Meteor Shower Returns This Week Under An ‘Earthshine’ Moon
The Perseid meteor shower is returning this week, offering viewers across the U.S. the chance to see up to 100 meteors per hour.