Benjamin Dean Lecture: Sun, Maize, and the Maya Calendar: Maya Astronomy and Enduring Traditions in Mesoamerica

Mesoamerica's great pyramids excite our imagination with images of a fascinating civilization in the distant past, but they also provide a tangible link to the richness and enduring power of Maya culture as expressed by the Maya people today. The infamous year 2012 gains astronomical and cultural significance in a calendar system that connects the Maya, corn, and the zenith passage of the Sun. The presenters will share experiences from recent research trips to Guatemala and Mexico, where they gathered content through the Maya people's own voice regarding the Calendar system and their cultural practices.

Speakers: Dr. Isabel Hawkins, Astronomer, Exploratorium
Doña Maria Ávila Vera, Yucatec Maya Elder