Pouhalli 1.01 : a Computer Simulation of Mesoamerican Calendar Systems

Abstract

The calendar system used by peoples of Mesoamerica,at least from thetimes of origin of the Mayacivilization, has been based not exactly on simple observations of movements ofcelestial bodies but rather on a mathematical model of solar, lunar and venus synodical cycles. Because of this it can be very easily represented in the form of algorithm processed by modern computing machines. And actually, in the course of a dozen or so years numerous computer programs serving for calculations of Mesoamerican equivalents of Gregorian or Julian dates have come into existence (see the list at http://archaeology.csumb.edu/ Courses/Aztec/AztecLinks.htm). however, most of them were written by scholars for personal use or for use of few colleagues, usually in order to solve a specified problem. For this reason these programsare usually characterised by simple interface, constant parameters of calendar cycles and one-way manner of data searching. Thus they are not suitable for more advanced purposes.