Katun (Maya calendar)
Encyclopedia
A k'atun or k'atun-cycle is a unit of time in the Maya calendar
equal to 20 tun
s or 7,200 days, equivalent to 19.713 tropical years
. It is the 2nd digit on the normal Maya
long count
date. For example, in the Maya Long Count date 12.19.13.15.12 (December 5, 2006), the number 19 is the k'atun.
The end of the k'atun was marked by numerous ceremonies and at Tikal
the construction of large twin pyramid complexes to host them. The k'atun was also used to reckon the age of rulers. Those who lived to see four (or five) k'atuns would take the title 4-(or 5-)k'atun lord. In the Postclassic period when the full Long Count gave way to the Short Count, the Maya continued to keep a reckoning of k'atuns, differentiating them by the Calendar Round
date on which they began. Each k'atun had its own set of prophecies and associations.
Maya calendar
The Maya calendar is a system of calendars and almanacs used in the Maya civilization of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, and in many modern Maya communities in highland Guatemala. and in Chiapas....
equal to 20 tun
Tun (Maya calendar)
A Tun is a part of the ancient Maya Long Count Calendar system which corresponds to 18 winal cycles or 360 days....
s or 7,200 days, equivalent to 19.713 tropical years
Tropical year
A tropical year , for general purposes, is the length of time that the Sun takes to return to the same position in the cycle of seasons, as seen from Earth; for example, the time from vernal equinox to vernal equinox, or from summer solstice to summer solstice...
. It is the 2nd digit on the normal Maya
Maya civilization
The Maya is a Mesoamerican civilization, noted for the only known fully developed written language of the pre-Columbian Americas, as well as for its art, architecture, and mathematical and astronomical systems. Initially established during the Pre-Classic period The Maya is a Mesoamerican...
long count
Long Count
Long Count or Slow count is a term used in boxing. When a boxer is knocked down in a fight, the referee will count over them and the boxer must be on their feet by the count of ten or else is deemed to have been knocked out...
date. For example, in the Maya Long Count date 12.19.13.15.12 (December 5, 2006), the number 19 is the k'atun.
The end of the k'atun was marked by numerous ceremonies and at Tikal
Tikal
Tikal is one of the largest archaeological sites and urban centres of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. It is located in the archaeological region of the Petén Basin in what is now northern Guatemala...
the construction of large twin pyramid complexes to host them. The k'atun was also used to reckon the age of rulers. Those who lived to see four (or five) k'atuns would take the title 4-(or 5-)k'atun lord. In the Postclassic period when the full Long Count gave way to the Short Count, the Maya continued to keep a reckoning of k'atuns, differentiating them by the Calendar Round
Calendar round
In the Mesoamerican calendars, calendar round dates are composed by interlacing the dates of a 260-day period with dates from a 365-day period...
date on which they began. Each k'atun had its own set of prophecies and associations.