SOLAR INTERVALS OF THE DRESDEN CODEX VENUS TABLE

CARLOS BARRERA ATUESTA, Independent Researcher on Maya Science Introduction Could the Maya of the Classic Period (from third to tenth centuries) predict astronomical events hundreds and even thousands of years in advance? How did they manage to obtain the precision that is implied in their astronomical calculations? These are mysteries that persist after more than one century of research. The recent discovery of a solar property encoded in a set of multiples of the Dresden Codex - the oldest manuscript from the American continent would reveal key aspects for understanding their mathematical models and scientific foundations, partially rescue their intangible heritage, and confirm the validity of the GMT correlation between Maya and Christian dates. These results suggest that the same calculation principle used to accurately determine, throughout the centuries, the main solar references of the agricultural year, also would have been used to set suitable dates for political, social, ritual, and mythical events, dates of deep time and the distant future. Abstract The ancient Maya are widely recognized for their refined intellectual achievements in Astronomical Sciences1 and Mathematics,2 and it has even been said that their solar calculations were more accurate than the current Gregorian calendar. 3 While it is true that there is evidence supporting the foregoing assertions, is also equally true that the mathematical procedures or theoretical foundations that allowed them to reach a certain degree of accuracy are still unknown. In that sense, this article seeks to contribute new concepts in regard to the Maya conception of time4, extracted from their own epigraphic records, which could give us a deeper understanding of their scientific methods, and would also help solve other crucial aspects in the study of their Culture, related to Chronology, History and Mythology. 1. On the Calculation of Solar Years The first indications that suggest the precision of the Maya solar calendar come from works of John E. Teeple in which he investigates 6940-day intervals between Maya chronological records that would represent 235 lunations and 19 solar years.5 Teeple also considers the possibility that the Maya may have allowed the independent course of the Jaab calendar and tropical year through a full synchronization circuit of 29 18980-day Calendar Rounds,6 where the following identity is obtained: 1508 x 365d = 1507 x 365.2422d. Regarding the techniques used by the ancient Maya to verify the moments in which the main solar references of the agricultural year were observed, the alignments of stelae oriented towards specific points in the eastern and western horizon, as well as the design of architectural structures arranged to indicate the dates of occurrence of solstices and the equinoxes7 can be cited, as evidenced by Group E at Uaxactn (Figure 1), the Temple of the Seven Dolls of Dzibilchaltn, El Castillo at Chichn Itz, and El Castillo at Mayapn.

Carlos Barrera Atuesta, 2004-2013. All Rights Reserved.

FIG. 1.

Architectural layout of the structures that integrate the E Group at Uaxactun, with their 8 respective description of solar dates and references [Drawing by Robert Sharer]

Among the technical resources used by the ancient Maya to find out the fleeting moment when the Sun was at its highest point in the sky, were the vertical zenith sighting tubes: dark underground chambers that project a perpendicular beam of light towards the center of its base when the rays of the Sun pass through an observation tube in the roof of the structure; a phenomenon that occurs only twice a year in regions between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, and that is called "the zenith passage of the Sun". Archaeological evidence on the tracking of the zenith passage of the Sun in Mesoamerica has been found in the so-called Cave Los Amates at Xochicalco, and the zenithal observatories of Monte Alban and Teotihuacan.9 Pioneering studies conducted by Zelia Nuttal,10 Ola Apenes11 and Vincent H. Malmstrm,12 linked the zenith passages of the Sun that occurred on Mesoamerican regions located between 1442'N and 15N with a possible astronomical origin of the Mesoamerican calendar. According to the above criteria, the zenith passages of the Sun would occur in these latitudes at noon on August 12-13, and April 30-May 1, there being a gap between these events of 260 days, and later, of 105 days. The agricultural importance of the dates obtained lies in the fact that they mark out seasons of rain and drought in extensive regions of Mesoamerica, associated with the planting and harvesting of corn. The establishment of the above solar references, solstices and equinoxes included, allows for a better understanding of the basic mathematical characteristics that define the idealized 364-day solar model, which the Maya would have formulated based on thirteenday periods (Figure 2). The midpoint between April to August solar zenith passages represents the summer solstice whereas the midpoint between August to April zenith solar passages represents the winter solstice. In turn, the midpoint between summer to winter solstices represents the autumnal equinox, while the midpoint between winter to summer solstices represents the vernal equinox.

Carlos Barrera Atuesta, 2004-2013. All Rights Reserved.

FIG. 2.

364-day solar representation model. References nearest to the equinoxes are 39 days away, and those nearest to the solstices are 52 days away.

When making the respective calculations it is observed that the separation between the zenith passages of the Sun and the summer solstice can be defined by four thirteen-day periods, and the separation between equinoxes and their nearest zenith passages can be defined by three thirteen-day periods. In order to obtain a symmetric model of solar representation, the positions located 52 days from the winter solstice are also considered, and 39 days from their immediate equinoxes, representing these references, the passages of the Sun through the nadir,13 which take place at midnight on October 29-31, and on February 9-11. In actual astronomical terms, the existing separation for the Northern Hemisphere between the equinoxes and the winter solstice is 89-90 days, and between the equinoxes and the summer solstice, of 93-94 days, the 21st days of the respective months of June and December being the usual dates for the solstices, whereas the vernal equinox tends to occur more towards March 20, and the autumnal equinox near September 22. This interesting asymmetry of the solar year would have been resolved by the ancient Maya based on the Mesoamerican 260-day calendar, as evidenced by a study of modular arithmetic applied to the so called anomalous multiples of the Venus Table. Page 24 of the Dresden Codex (Figure 3) presents a general synthesis of this structure.14 2. On the Structure of the Venus Table The recording of eight 360-day Tuns, two 20-day Winals and zero Kins or days (8.2.0), in the lower right section of page 24, is equivalent in our decimal system to 2920 days: an interval that represents the synchronization of eight 365-day Jaab calendars, and five canonical 584-day Venus cycles.15 When such transition is made from a 1-Ajaw origin date, it leads to a 9-Ajaw destination date. The following records to its left correspond to
Carlos Barrera Atuesta, 2004-2013. All Rights Reserved.

the second, third and fourth multiples, and the four upper entries represent the fifth to eighth multiples. Going up through the Table, we have the ninth to twelfth multiples, then introducing a discontinuity between the twelfth (4.17.6.0) and thirteenth (5.5.8.0) 2920-day multiples, caused by a set of records in between, referred to as anomalous multiples.

FIG. 3.

Mathematical decoding of page 24 of the Dresden Codex. The set of anomalous multiples of 9100, 33280, 68900 and 185120 days, had traditionally been interpreted exclusively according to Venus cycles. [Photo by Justin Kerr for FAMSI]

Carlos Barrera Atuesta, 2004-2013. All Rights Reserved.

The anomalous multiples (or peculiar numbers) of the Venus Table, in contrast to the 2920-day multiples, cannot be expressed as whole repetitions of the 365-day Jaab calendar, or the canonical 584-day Venus cycle, but they do allow for their exact divisibility by the Mesoamerican 260-day calendar, which is their main characteristic. The intervals represented by anomalous multiples are: 9100 (1.5.5.0), 33280 (4.12.8.0), 68900 (9.11.7.0) and 185120 days (1.5.14.4.0). The upper right section of the Table shows the first to fourth 37960-day multiples (5.5.8.0 to 1.1.1.14.0), representing the moments of synchronization between the Mesoamerican calendar, the Jaab' calendar and the canonical cycle of Venus, being 37960 days (i.e. 13 x 2920d) the least common multiple of 260, 365 and 584 days. Another significant interval included within the structure, is that of 26280 days (i.e. 9 x 2920d = 3.13.0.0), which represents the synchronization between 73 360-day Tun periods, 72 365day Jaab' calendars, and 45 584-day Venus cycles. The establishment of the historical moment referred to in the above records can be determined by adopting a correlation constant between Maya and Christian dates,16 and by performing the operations indicated in the lower left section of page 24, by Ring Number 6.2.0, and the Long Round 9.9.16.0.0 to its right. The subtraction of the 2200-day Ring Number, from the Era Date 0.0.0.0.0, 4 Ajaw 8 Kumk'u, and the subsequent application of the 1366560 days implied by the aforesaid Long Round, leads towards the main record of the Venus Table, defined by the date 9.9.9.16.0, 1 Ajaw 18 K'ayab.17 00.00.00.00.00 00.00.06.02.00 12.19.13.16.00 +09.09.16.00.00 09.09.09.16.00 4 Ajaw 8 Kumku (Era Date) 2200-day Ring-Number 1 Ajaw 18 Kayab (Pre-Era Date) 1366560-day Long Round 1 Ajaw 18 Kayab (Main Record)

3. On the Calculation of the Venus Cycle Venus actual synodic period is 583.921375 days, hence, there is a cumulative error due to excess of about 5.11 days in the 37960-day interval, since 37960d mod 583.921375d = 5.11062d. For this reason, John E. Teeple suggested that the peculiar multiples of the Venus Table could play a compensatory role on such deviation.18 Teeple noticed that by subtracting 33280 days from 68900 days, a slightly higher value was obtained than the one generated by 61 actual Venus periods, and that by accumulating four 35620-day repetitions, it was possible to include an additional 33280-day interval, forming a precision 175760-day transition, equivalent to 301 583.9203-day Venus cycles. (68900d 33280d) = 35620 days = 61 583.921375-day Venus periods + 0.796125d (4 x 35620d + 33280d) = 175760 days = 301 583.921375-day Venus periods 0.3d 175760 days = 301 583.9203-day Venus periods (on average) In 2007, the author observed that this same 175760-day transition could be obtained by alternating (33280d + 37960d + 33280d + 37960d + 33280d), or (68900d + 37960d + 68900d). By doing so, Venus position could be indefinitely projected in time and would never show a theoretical deviation greater than 3.52 days or 2.72 days, relative to its point of origin.
Carlos Barrera Atuesta, 2004-2013. All Rights Reserved.

The last day in which Venus is visible at sunset, and its first day of visibility at the break of dawn, typically occur within 4 days of their inferior conjunction, which makes possible its tracking through the above-described method.19 The mathematical basis behind Venus behavior was established by Lounsbury,20 by proving that all peculiar numbers can be obtained from a linear Diophantine equation of the type z = 37960x 2340y. First peculiar number: Second peculiar number: Third peculiar number: Fourth peculiar number: 1.5.5.0 = 9100 days = (4 x 37960d 61 x 2340d) 4.12.8.0 = 33280 days = (1 x 37960d 2 x 2340d) 9.11.7.0 = 68900 days = (2 x 37960d 3 x 2340d) 1.5.14.4.0 = 185120 days = (5 x 37960d 2 x 2340d)

Eric Thompson believed that the anomalous 9100-day multiple was in error and should be replaced with an interval of 4 x 2340d = 9360d.21 Without knowing it, Thompson justified this replacement using the same mathematical logic that would years later confirm the validity of the anomalous multiple that it sought to correct.22 Comparing Teeple's 175760-day interval to the anomalous 185120-day multiple, Thompson realized that the 9360 days between them, projected the position of Venus in 9.9.9.16.0, towards a future heliacal rise,23 as indicated by the correlation between Maya and Gregorian dates that Thompson himself and John Teeple had helped improve in 1927, based on the works of Joseph Goodman and Juan Martinez in 1897.24 The solution trajectory proposed by Lounsbury for the Venus Table used, in fact, the 185120-day peculiar number, and the third 37960-day multiple (i.e. 113880 days),25 both recorded on page 24 of the Dresden Codex, to obtain a compensating effect similar to that generated by the 9360-day interval on Venus synodic position of 9.9.9.16.0. 185120 days = 317 583.921375-day Venus cycles + 16.924125d 113880 days = 195 583.921375-day Venus cycles + 15.331875d 9360 days = 16 583.921375-day Venus cycles + 17.258d The validity of the anomalous 9100-day multiple had been suggested by Bryan Wells in 1991, who stated two properties that made it special: [1] its exact divisibility by the Maya 1820-day cycle, equivalent to 7 x 260d and 5 x 364d, and [2] the remainder of 340 days obtained when the 9100-day interval is compared to 15 canonical 584-day Venus cycles.26 On pages 46-50 of the Dresden Codex, the duration of the Venus cycle is defined from four sub-intervals of 236, 90, 250 and 8 days. The obtained remainder of 340 days could then be expressed as (90d + 250d). 9100 days = 15 x (90d + 250d + 8d + 236d) + (90d + 250d) = 15 x 584d + 340d The way in which the anomalous 9100-day multiple ought to be incorporated into the Venus Table was established by the author in 2007 by noticing that there were only two 1Ajaw dates in its structure, separated by 9100 days (represented by registers 165 and 227 of 260), and that the achieved target date (register 227) should correspond to the last day on which Venus was visible as evening star on 9.10.2.16.0, 1 Ajaw 13 Kankin.27 9.8.17.11.0, 1 Ajaw 18 Muwan + 9100d = 9.10.2.16.0, 1 Ajaw 13 Kankin

Carlos Barrera Atuesta, 2004-2013. All Rights Reserved.

A subsequent calendric operation showed that, when making a 9100-day transition from 9.9.9.16.0, an important computing reference was obtained, associated with a South-yellow quadrant of the Maya Cosmos: the 819-day station 9.10.15.3.0, 1 Ajaw 13 Pax. 9.9.9.16.0, 1 Ajaw 18 Kayab + 9100d = 9.10.15.3.0, 1 Ajaw 13 Pax For some reason that should be investigated, there is a separation of 42 x 32760 days (3767 sidereal years) between 9.10.15.3.0, 1 Ajaw 13 Pax, and a mythical 819-day station (12.19.13.3.0, 1 Ajaw 18 Sotz) recorded in Palenque during the Classic Period.28 4. The Discovery of the Solar Intervals of the Venus Table The expression 68900d mod 365.2422d = 234.4664d represents the actual lapse generated by the third anomalous multiple of the Venus Table on the solar cycle. The operation indicates that after 68900 days, 188 365.2422-day solar years are completed, leaving a remainder of 234.4664 days, which is equivalent to the actual time elapsed since the beginning of the solar cycle. Another way to interpret the same result is to state that there are 130.7758 days left = (365.2422d 234.4664d), to complete 189 tropical years and recover the original date. Within the idealized 364-day solar model (see Figure 2), the obtained lapse of 234 days represents a transition between opposite dates (separated by 182 days), plus 52 days, whereas going back 130 days = (364d 234d), represents a transition between opposite dates minus 52 days. From the foregoing, it can be concluded that the anomalous 68900day multiple makes it possible to link the April and August zenith passages of the Sun with the winter solstice on December 21, as well as the October and February solar nadirs with the summer solstice29 on June 21. Applying the 584285 correlation constant, according to which the Initial Series 11.16.0.0.0, 13 Ajaw 8 Xul is equivalent to the Gregorian date of A.D. 1539 November 14,30 the main record of the Venus Table 9.9.9.16.0, 1 Ajaw 18 K'ayab, corresponds to the solar nadir on A.D. 623 February 9.31 Consequently, subtracting the anomalous 68900-day multiple from 9.9.9.16.0, should result in the summer solstice, and subtracting 68900 days therefrom, should result in the October solar nadir. Whenever the reached date differs from the expected value in one day, it could be corrected by applying the canonical 364-day cycle in the corresponding direction. The 1364360-day interval, applied to the Era Date 0.0.0.0.0 to obtain record 9.9.9.16.0 could be interpreted, in fact, as a huge transition of 3735 years, between the zenith passage of 3114 B.C. August 13, and the solar nadir on A.D. 623 February 9. 9.9.9.16.0 0.0.0.0.0 = 1364360 days 1364360 days = (1366560d 2200d) 1364360d mod 365.2422d = 180.38d August 13 (zenith passage) + 180.38d Potential solar transition Maya notation 9.9.9.16.0 Effective progress in days February 9 (solar nadir)

Similar analyses show that the peculiar 33280-day interval could also be used to perform transitions from the vernal equinox to the May 1 zenith passage, or from the August zenith passage to the September 23 autumnal equinox.
Carlos Barrera Atuesta, 2004-2013. All Rights Reserved.

Concatenating the anomalous multiples of 33280 and 68900 days, a transition is obtained from the vernal equinox to the winter solstice with a stopover on the April 30-May 1 zenith passage, and when concatenating them in the reverse order, a transition is obtained from the winter solstice to the autumnal equinox with a stopover on the August 12-13 zenith passage. Vernal equinox + 33280d = April-May zenith passage April-May zenith passage + 68900d = Winter solstice Winter solstice + 68900d = August zenith passage August zenith passage + 33280d = Autumnal equinox A new analysis of modular arithmetic, this time applied to the concatenated anomalous multiples of (185120d + 9100d), reveals that this interval could also be used to perform the same transitions from equinoxes to solstices obtained through the anomalous multiples of (33280d + 68900d), there being a difference between their respective remaining results of just one day. As a consequence, said intervals may be conveniently combined, duplicated or subtracted, depending on the specific situation at hand. (185120d + 9100d) mod 365.2422d = 88.8504d (33280d + 68900d) mod 365.2422d = 87.8160d Typical separation between the vernal equinox and the winter solstice: 89 days Typical separation between the winter solstice and the autumnal equinox: 89 days The huge 1366560-day interval, which finally leads to the main entry of the Venus Table 9.9.9.16.0, actually serves the same solar function obtained by concatenating all the anomalous multiples, since 1366560d mod 365.2422d = 188.9298d, whereas (33280d + 68900d + 185120d + 9100d) mod 365.2422d = 188.5758d. Therefore, the 9.9.16.0.0 interval of 1366560 days could be used to perform transitions of 3741 solar years from a computing vernal equinox (March 18/19) to an autumnal equinox (September 22/23). March 18/19 + 33280d = April-May zenith passage April-May zenith passage + 68900d = Winter solstice Winter solstice + (185120d + 9100d) = September 22/23 March 18/19 + 1366560d (9.9.16.0.0) = September 22/23 Considering the Calendar Round 1 Ajaw 18 Wo, adjacent to 1 Ajaw 18 K'ayab on page 24 of the Dresden Codex, it can be observed that the minimum distance between them is 4680 days: a renowned Maya interval equivalent to 2 x 2340d, 13 x 360d, 18 x 260d, and other equivalents of an astronomical nature. As a result, by subtracting 4680 days from 9.9.9.16.0, the Initial Series 9.8.16.16.0, 1 Ajaw 18 Wo is obtained. Maya date 9.8.16.16.0 is correlated to the Gregorian date of A.D. 610 April 18, which is meaningful, because Venus is located at its first stationary position (the point at which Venus begins its 40-day retrograde motion). A.D. 610 April 18 is also the 18980-day Calendar Round anniversary of the zenith passage of the sun on A.D. 558 April 30, which took place during the 819-day station 9.6.4.3.0, 1 Ajaw 18 Wo.
Carlos Barrera Atuesta, 2004-2013. All Rights Reserved.

Likewise, A.D. 610 April 18 precedes A.D. 635 March 18 by 9100 days, and this date in turn, precedes the zenith passage of A.D. 726 April 30 by 33280 days, which suggests an orderly sequence of applied anomalous multiples, through various solar stations, from A.D. 610 April 18 (1 Ajaw 18 Wo) to A.D. 1446 September 22 (autumnal equinox). 9.8.16.16.0, 1 Ajaw 18 Wo = A.D. 610 April 18 (Dresden Codex, p.24) A.D. 610 April 18 + 9100d = A.D. 635 March 18 (Computing equinox) A.D. 635 March 18 + 33280d = A.D. 726 April 30 (Solar zenith passage) A.D. 726 April 30 + 68900d = A.D. 914 December 20 (Winter solstice) A.D. 914 December 20 + (185120d + 9100d) = A.D. 1446 September 22 (Equinox) Finally, when a 2340-day interval is applied to A.D. 635 March 18, the zenith passage of A.D. 641 August 13 is obtained (which best explains the concept of computing equinox). 2340d mod 365.2422d = 148.5468d 33280d mod 365.2422d = 42.9598d Distance between March 20 equinox and August 13 zenith passage: 146 days Distance between March 20 equinox and April 30 zenith passage: 41 days Optimal computing point for the 2340 and 33280-day intervals: March 18 Other possible application points (as subtractions): August 15 / May 2 In fact, September 25 may also be considered as a computing autumnal equinox because the operation (September 25 2340d) leads to an April zenith passage, while (September 25 33280d) leads to an August zenith passage. Distance between April 30 zenith passage and September 23 equinox: 146 days Distance between August 13 zenith passage and September 23 equinox: 41 day Optimal computing point for the 2340 and 33280-day intervals: September 25 Other possible application points (as additions): August 11 / April 28 In 2007, the author deducted an original Venus structure, beginning on the Initial Series 9.5.10.8.0, 1 Ajaw 8 Sak, and ending 37960 days after, on 9.10.15.16.0, 1 Ajaw 8 Sak. According to the 584285 correlation constant, the completion of this structure corresponds to the Gregorian date of A.D. 648 September 25, and its origin, to A.D. 544 October 20.32 Within this framework of ideas, 33280 days before 9.10.15.16.0, Venus should have been located three days after its first day of visibility as morning star, during the August zenith passage of A.D. 557 (which is also located 4680 days after A.D. 544 October 20). 33280d mod 583.921375d = 3.52d 9.10.15.16.0, 1 Ajaw 8 Sak: first day on which Venus is visible as morning star 9.10.15.16.0, 1 Ajaw 8 Sak 33280d = 9.6.3.8.0, 1 Ajaw 3 Mol (A.D. 557 August 13) 9.6.3.8.0, 1 Ajaw 3 Mol: first day on which Venus is visible as morning star + 3 days

Carlos Barrera Atuesta, 2004-2013. All Rights Reserved.

Therefore, one Mesoamerican 260-day calendar after 9.6.3.8.0, 1 Ajaw 3 Mol, Venus should have been very close to its last day of visibility as morning star, during the April zenith passage of A.D. 558, which took place on the aforementioned 819-day station 9.6.4.3.0, 1 Ajaw 18 Wo. 9.6.3.8.0, 1 Ajaw 3 Mol + 260d = 9.6.4.3.0, 1 Ajaw 18 Wo (A.D. 558 April 30) 9.6.4.3.0: First day of Venus as morning star + 263 days / solar zenith passage Distance between the first and last day on which Venus is morning star: 263 days 9.6.4.3.0: Last day on which Venus is visible as morning star / solar zenith passage Now, this Venus-Solar Structure of the Dresden Codex makes complete sense, because 2340 days before 9.10.15.16.0, Venus should have been in inferior conjunction with the Sun, during the April zenith passage of A.D. 642; (33280d 260d) before 9.10.15.16.0, Venus should have been on its last day of visibility as morning star, during the April zenith passage of A.D. 558; and (9100d + 250 d + 8d) after 9.9.9.16.0, Venus should have been on its first day of visibility as morning star, during the autumnal equinox of A.D. 648. 9.9.9.16.0, 1 Ajaw 18 Kayab + 9100 = 9.10.15.3.0, 1 Ajaw 13 Pax 9.10.15.3.0, 1 Ajaw 13 Pax: Completion of a 90-day Venus sub-cycle 9.10.15.3.0, 1 Ajaw 13 Pax: 819-day station and 32760-day anniversary 9.10.15.3.0, 1 Ajaw 13 Pax + (250d + 8d) = 9.10.15.15.18, 12 Etznab 6 Sak 9.10.15.15.18, 12 Etznab 6 Sak: Autumnal equinox of A.D. 648 September 23 9.10.15.15.18, 12 Etznab 6 Sak: Completion of an 8-day Venus sub-cycle / station Completion of an 8-day Venus sub-cycle: first day on which Venus is the morning star Selected Results and Conclusions The implications derived of the above analyses, though diverse, can be summarized as follows: [1] The tracking of solar years in Maya chronology is inferred through the interval of (18980d + 9100d + 33280d) = 168 years (which is the distance between the April zenith passages of A.D. 558 and A.D. 726), the interval of (33280d 260d 2340d) = 84 years (i.e. the distance between the April zenith passages of A.D. 558 and A.D. 642), and through the previously suggested operation (185120d + 9100d) (33280d + 68900d) = 252 years. [2] Other non-anomalous 260-day multiples, such as 4680 days and 18980 days, as well as other unconventional intervals are also part of the solar calculations. It is especially worth noting the interval of (26280d + 33280d + 37960d), equivalent to 267 years, and Venus subintervals of 236, 90, 250, and 8 days, which comprise the following solution sequence: [3] 10.5.6.4.0, 1 Ajaw 18 Kayab (heliacal rise of Venus on 934 November 25)33 37960d (830 December 20; inferior conjunction of Venus) 33280d (heliacal rise of Venus; anniversary of 118 x 260d + 29 x 37960d, of 1.18.5.4.0)34 26280d (transit of Venus35 1d, on 667 November 25; new moon) 250d (667 March 20) 90d (666 December 20; full moon; major lunar standstill)36 236d (666 April 28; heliacal rise of Venus; full moon) 8d (inferior conjunction of Venus) 250d (665 August 13) + 260d (666 April 30).
Carlos Barrera Atuesta, 2004-2013. All Rights Reserved.

[4] The characteristics of the Initial Series 9.8.16.16.0, 1 Ajaw 18 Wo, suggest at least other solar sequence based on anomalous multiples, as follows: 9.8.16.16.0 (610 April 18) + 9100d (635 March 18) + 33280d (726 April 30) + 68900d (914 December 20) + 68900d (1103 August 12) + 33280d (1194 September 23). [5] This last sequence might be linked to the mythical record of Palenque 1.18.5.4.0:37 10.18.9.15.0, 1 Ajaw 18 Kayab (1194 September 23) 1366560d (2548 B.C. March 19) + 68900d = 1.18.5.4.0, 1 Ajaw 13 Mak (Birth of GII, on 2360 B.C. November 8, and solar nadir38 located 33280 days before the 819-day station and winter solstice of 2269 B.C.). [6] The accession date of Pakal on 9.9.2.4.8, 5 Lamat 1 Mol (615 July 29),39 might be projected in solar terms, as follows: [6.1] 9.9.2.4.8 185120d (108 September 24) 33280d (17 August 12); [6.2] 9.9.2.4.8 + 68900d (804 March 19) + 185120d + 9100d (1335 December 21) + 68900d (1524 August 12). [7] When calculating the interval from A.D. 17 August 12 to A.D. 1524 August 12, a separation of 550420 days (= 1508 x 365d = 1507 x 365.2422d) is obtained, which can be formulated based solely on the anomalous multiples of the Venus Table, as follows: (9100d + 33280d + 2 x 68900d + 2 x 185120d), which is a significant equivalence. [8] The Dresden Codex Serpent Series40 8.16.3.12.3, 13 Ak'bal 11 Yaxk'in, and 10.6.10.6.3, 13 Ak'bal 1 K'ank'in, are separated by (33280d + 185120d), the solar nadir of A.D. 451 October 31 being their common linking point, since 8.16.3.12.3 (pp. 31, 63 of the Dresden) + 33280d (451 October 31) + 185120d = 10.6.10.6.3 (pp. 31, 62, 63 of the Dresden). [9] The base date 9 Kan 12 Kayab, for calculation of the Dresden Codex Serpent Series, is located 10967536 days before the Era Date.41 When applying a peculiar 33280-day interval to 9 Kan 12 Kayab, the Gregorian date 33051 B.C. August 22 results. The Gregorian calendar accumulates one day of error for each 3333.33 years, so it is required to project the date obtained towards a region where our calendar is still effective. Such a projection is achieved through an interval of 11 x 29 x 37960d = 33176 x 365d (i.e. 33154 x 365.2422d), resulting in the Gregorian date of A.D. 104 August 12. Hence, the date 9 Kan 12 Kayab precedes by 33280 days, the zenith passage of the sun of 33051 B.C., in deep time. [10] The projection of 40 x 37960d from the accession of Pakal,42 towards A.D. 4772 October 23 (1.0.0.0.0.8, 5 Lamat 1 Mol) precedes the Gregorian date of A.D. 4797 September 22 by 9100 days. Going back 29 x 37960d, to regions where our calendar is still effective, leads to A.D. 1783 September 23. Consequently, the date located 9100 days after 1.0.0.0.0.8, corresponds to the autumnal equinox of A.D. 4797, in the distant future. A complete summary of other potential solar intervals is presented in Appendix I. Acknowledgments I am grateful to Vctor Torres Roldn, Ivan prajc, Michael Grofe, Susan Milbrath, Ed Barnhart, and Sid Hollander for having commented on this document on a private basis.
Carlos Barrera Atuesta, 2004-2013. All Rights Reserved.

REFERENCES
1. H. Bricker, V. Bricker, Astronomy in the Maya codices (Philadelphia, 2011). 2. C. P. Bowditch, The numeration, calendar systems and astronomical knowledge of the Mayas (Cambridge, 1910). 3. J. Teeple, Maya astronomy, Contributions to American archaeology (vol. 1, Washington, DC, 1930), 38-40, 71-76. 4. M. Len-Portilla, Time and reality in the thought of the Maya (Oklahoma, ed. 2, 1988). 5. J. Teeple, op. cit. (ref. 3). 6. J. Teeple, op. cit. (ref. 3). 7. R. J. Sharer, L. P. Traxler, The ancient Maya (Stanford, ed. 6, 2006), 320-21. 8. R. J. Sharer, L. P. Traxler, op. cit. (ref. 7). 9. A. Aveni, Skywatchers (Austin, TX, 2001). 10. Z. Nuttal, Nouvelles lumires sur les civilizations Americaines et le systme du calendrier, Proceedings of the 22nd International Congress of Americanists (Rome, 1928), 119-48. 11. O. Apenes, Possible derivation of 260 day period of the Maya calendar (vol. 1, Stockholm, 1936), 5-8. 12. V. Malmstrm, Origin of the Mesoamerican 260-day calendar, Science 181 (1973); published online 7 September 1973. 13. S. Milbrath, Star gods and astronomy of the Aztecs, La antropologa americanista en la actualidad: homenaje a Raphael Girard (vol. 1, Mxico, 1980), 289-303. 14. J. E. S. Thompson, A commentary of the Dresden Codex, a Maya hieroglyphic book (Philadelphia, 1972). 15. E. Frstemann, Commentary on the Maya manuscript in the Royal Public Library of Dresden , Papers of the Peabody Museum of American Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard Univ. (vol. 4, no. 2, Cambridge, MA, 1906). 16. F. Lounsbury, A Derivation of the Mayan-to-Julian calendar correlation from the Dresden Codex Venus chronology, The sky in Maya literature, A. Aveni, Ed. (New York, 1992). 17. S. Milbrath, Star gods of the Maya: astronomy in art, folklore and calendars (Austin, TX, 1999), 163-177. 18. J. Teeple, op. cit. (ref. 3), 94-98, 110-14. 19. C. Barrera, Dos posibles soluciones para el intervalo de 9100 das de las Tablas de Venus del Cdice de Dresde (Bogot, 2007). 20. F. Lounsbury, Maya numeration, computation, and calendrical astronomy, Dictionary of scientific biography, vol. 15 (suppl. 1, New York, 1978), 759-818. 21. J. E. S. Thompson, op. cit. (ref. 14). 22. F. Lounsbury, op. cit. (ref. 20). 23. J. E. S. Thompson, op. cit. (ref. 14).

Carlos Barrera Atuesta, 2004-2013. All Rights Reserved.

24. J. E. S. Thompson, A correlation of the Mayan and European calendars, Anthropological series (vol. 17, no. 1, Chicago, 1927). 25. F. Lounsbury, op. cit. (ref. 16). 26. B. Wells, The Venus Table of the Dresden Codex and the movements of the planet Venus, The Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (vol. 85, no. 6, 1991). 27. C. Barrera, Desarrollo de estructuras Venus-solares en ambientes cronolgicamente puros libres de los efectos correlativos (Bogot, 2012). 28. C. Barrera, op. cit. (ref. 27). 29. M. Paxton, Iconografa solar en la Tabla de Venus del Cdice de Dresde, Yucatn a travs de los siglos: memorias del 49 Congreso Internacional de Americanistas (Quito, 1997), 95-120. 30. F. Lounsbury, op. cit. (ref. 16). 31. M. Grofe, Measuring deep time: the sidereal year and the tropical year in Maya inscriptions, Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union Symposium No. 278 (Per, 2011), 214-30. 32. C. Barrera, op. cit. (ref. 19). 33. F. Lounsbury, op. cit. (ref. 16). 34. F. Lounsbury, Some problems in the interpretation of the mythological portion of the hieroglyphic text of the Temple of the Cross at Palenque, M. Greene, Ed. (Austin, TX, 1980), 99-115. 35. C. Barrera, Trnsitos de Venus en el Cdice de Dresde (Bogot, 2009). 36. A. Mndez, E. Barnhart, C. Powell, C. Karasik. Astronomical observations from the Temple of the Sun, Archaeoastronomy (vol. 19, 2005), 44-73. 37. F. Lounsbury, op. cit. (ref. 34). 38. C. Coughenour, Zenith and nadir in mayan space-time: sacred architecture, archaeoastronomy, and astronumerology (Greensboro, 2008). 39. L. Schele, P. Mathews, The code of kings (New York, ed. 1, 1999). 40. H. Beyer, Emendations of the Serpent Numbers of the Dresden Maya Codex , Anthropos (vol. 28, 1933), 1-7. 41. H. Beyer, The Long Count position of the Serpent Number dates, Proceedings of the 27th International Congress of Americanists (vol. 1, Mexico, 1939), 401-05. 42. L. Schele, P. Mathews, op. cit. (ref. 39).

Carlos Barrera Atuesta, 2004-2013. All Rights Reserved.

APPENDIX I POTENTIAL SOLAR INTERVALS BASED ON MAYA CYCLES Solar Equations Based on the Anomalous Multiples of the Dresden Codex Venus Table 1. June 21 + 68900d = February 10/11 2. June 21 68900d = October 29/30 3. June 21 + 3 x 33280d = October 28/29 4. June 20 3 x 33280d = February 11/12 5. December 21 + 68900d = August 12/13 6. December 21 68900d = April 30/May 1 7. December 21 (33280d + 68900d) = March 19/20 8. December 21 + (9100d + 185120d) = September 22/23 9. December 21 (9100d + 185120d) = March 19/20 10. December 21 + 3 x 33280d = April 29/30 11. December 21 + (68900d 33280d 185120d 2 x 9100d) = October 28/29 12. December 20 3 x 33280d = August 13/14 13. December 20 + (33280d + 68900d) = September 23 14. March 19/20 + 33280d = April 30/May 1 15. March 19 + (33280d + 2 x 68900d) = August 13 16. March 19 + (33280d + 68900d + 185120d + 9100d) = September 22/23 17. March 19 + 2 x (33280d +68900d) = September 23 18. September 23 33280d = August 12/13 19. October 29/30 + (9100d + 33280d 68900d) = March 20/21 20. February 11/12 (9100d + 33280d 68900d) = September 22/23 21. April 30 + (33280d + 2 x 68900d) = September 23 22. (9100d + 33280d + 2 x 68900d + 2 x 185120d) = 1507 solar years = 1508 x 365d 23. (68900d + 3 x 33280 d) = 462 solar years 1.9d 24. (2 x 68900d + 4 x 33280d 185120d 9100d) = 210 solar years 0.9d 25. (185120d + 9100d 33280d 68900d) = 252 solar years 1d 26. March 10 + 68900d = October 31 27. November 8 + 33280d = December 21 28. November 8 68900d = March 19 29. November 8 + (33280d 68900d) = April 30/May 1 Solar Equations Based on the 37960-day Cycle 1. December 20/21 2 x 37960d = February 9/10 2. December 20 + 2 x 37960d = October 30/31 3. April 30/May 1 2 x 37960d = June 20 4. April 28 + 3 x 37960d = February 11/12 5. August 13 3 x 37960d = October 28 6. February 9 + 4 x 37960d = October 31 7. March 19/20 + 7 x 37960d = September 22/23 8. March 19/20 13 x 37960d = February 9/10 9. October 28/29 13 x 37960d = September 22/23 10. September 22 16 x 37960d = October 31 11. September 22/23 36 x 37960d = March 19/20
Carlos Barrera Atuesta, 2004-2013. All Rights Reserved.

12. November 25 + 37960d = October 31 13. November 25 37960d = December 21 Solar Equations Based on the 18980-day Calendar Round 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. March 19/20 + 3 x 18980d = February 10/11 March 19 + 11 x 18980d = October 31 December 20/21 + 25 x 18980d = February 9/10 December 20 25 x 18980d = October 31 April 30/May 1 + 25 x 18980d = June 20/21 October 30/31 + 3 x 18980d = September 22/23 February 9 + 11 x 18980d = September 23

Solar Equations Based on 2340-day Multiples 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. March 18 + 2340d = August 13 April 28 + 2340d = September 23 August 11 + 2340d = September 23 February 9 + 3 x 2340d = April 30 August 12 + 3 x 2340d = October 31

Solar Equations Based on the 32760-day Cycle 1. November 8 2 x 32760d = June 20 2. March 10 3 x 32760d = February 9/10 Solar Equations Based on the 11960-day Cycle 1. June 21 + 11960d = March 20 2. June 21 11960d = September 22 Solar Equations Based on 819-day Multiples 1. 2. 3. 4. September 23 + 819d = December 21 December 21 + 819d = March 19 February 9 + 18 x 819d = June 21 June 20/21 + 18 x 819d = October 31/November 1

Solar Equations Based on 260-day Multiples 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. August 12/13 + 260d = April 30/May 1 November 25 + 260d = August 12/13 1999 x 260d = 1423 solar years 2235 x 260d = 1591 solar years * 2117 x 260d = 1507 solar years 118 x 260d = 84 solar years = 83 Uranus cycles

Carlos Barrera Atuesta, 2004-2013. All Rights Reserved.

Solar Equations Based on 117-day Multiples 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. October 29/30 + 234d = June 20/21 June 20/21 + 234d = February 9/10 April 30/May 1 + 234d = December 20/21 December 21 + 234d = August 12/13 September 22/23 + 585d = April 30/May 1 August 12/13 + 585d = March 19/20 April 19 + 585d = November 25

Solar Equations Based on K'atun Periods 1. 2. 3. 4. August 13 + 1 K'atun = April 30/May 1 August 13 + 4 K'atuns = June 20/21 August 12 1 K'atun = November 25 August 13 2 K'atuns = March 10

Solar Equations Based on the Anomalous Multiples and 2340-day Multiples 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. September 22/23 + (9100d 2 x 2340d) = October 30/31 February 9 + (9100d 2340d) = August 13 March 20 + (9100d 2 x 2340d) = September 22 December 20 + (185120d + 2340d) = March 20 December 21 + (9100d + 33280d + 2 x 68900d 2 x 2340d) = June 21 October 30 + (9100d + 33280d + 2 x 68900d 2 x 2340d) = April 30

Solar Equations Based on the Anomalous Multiples and the 11960-day Cycle 1. 2. 3. 4. December 21 (33280d + 11960d) = February 9/10 February 9/10 + (11960d + 33280d + 68900d) = August 12/13 February 9/10 + (11960d + 33280d 68900d) = April 30/ May 1 February 10/11 + (11960d 68900d) = March 19/20

Solar Equations Based on the Anomalous Multiples and the 18980-day Calendar Round 1. March 19 + (185120d + 68900d 18980d) = September 23 2. December 20/21 + (185120d 33280d 18980d) = September 23 Solar Equations Based on the Anomalous Multiples and the 32760day Cycle 1. June 20/21 + (2 x 32760d + 33280d) = December 21/22 2. June 20/21 + (2 x 32760d 68900d) = March 19/20 3. June 20/21 + (2 x 32760d + 33280d 68900d) = April 30/May 1 Solar Equations Based on the Anomalous Multiples, the 37960-day Cycle, and the 26280 day Cycle 1. (37960d + 33280d + 26280d) = 267 solar years
Carlos Barrera Atuesta, 2004-2013. All Rights Reserved.

Solar Equations Based on the Anomalous Multiples, the 18980-day Calendar Round, and the 2340day Interval 1. December 20 + (68900d 18980d 2 x 2340d) = October 30/31 2. March 19/20 + (185120d + 68900d 18980d + 9100d 2 x 2340d) = October 30/31 3. December 21 + (185120d 33280d 18980d + 9100d 2 x 2340d) = October 30/31 Solar Equations Based on the Uranus Cycle 1. * (5 x 2340d + 18980d) = 84 solar years = 83 Uranus cycles 2. * (33280d 260d 2340d) = 84 solar years = 83 Uranus cycles 3. * (9100d + 33280d 5 x 2340d) = 84 solar years = 83 Uranus cycles 4. (33280d + 9100d + 18980d) = 168 solar years = 166 Uranus cycles 5. * (68900d + 3 x 33280d) = 462 solar years 1.9d (based on 7670 days) 6. * (2 x 68900d + 4 x 33280d 185120d 9100d) = 210 solar years 0.9d 7. (2 x 68900d + 3 x 33280d 185120d 2 x 9100d 18980d) = 42 solar years 8. * (185120d + 9100d 33280d 68900d) = 3 x 30680d = 252 solar years 1d 9. (2 x 37960d 2 x 32760d 33280d + 68900d) = 1.5 x 84 years = 126 solar years 10. (185120d + 9100d 33280d 68900d 364d) = 251 solar years = 157 Venus cycles 11. (185120d + 9100d 33280d 68900d 364d) = 251 solar years = 248 Uranus cycles Solar Equations Based on Maya SuperNumbers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. * March 20 + 1366560d = September 23 August 13 + 1364360d = February 9 September 22 + 1364360d = March 20/21 November 25 + 3276 x 365d = September 23 January 15 3276 x 365d = March 19/20

Solar Equations Based on Venus Sub-Intervals 1. 2. 3. 4. April 28/29 + 236d = December 21 December 21 + 90d = March 20 March 20 + 250d = November 25 April 28/29 8d 250d = August 13

Solar Equations Based on 182 and 180day Intervals 1. 2. 3. 4. October 29/30 + 182d = April 29/30 December 21 + 182d = June 21 August 13 + 180d = February 9 September 22 + 180d = March 21

*Equation previously listed SOLAR INTERVALS OF THE DRESDEN CODEX VENUS TABLE BY CARLOS BARRERA ATUESTA, BOGOT, D.C., COLOMBIA. Carlos Barrera Atuesta, 2004-2013. All Rights Reserved.