Solstices brought Mayan communities together, using monuments shaped by science and religion – and kingly ambitions, too
Ancient Maya communities came together during solstices using astronomical monuments called “E-Groups” that were oriented to sunrise and sunset positions on solstice days. This helped coordinate agriculture and marked passages of time. However, by the 7th century CE, Maya cities like Copan were larger with different farming practices and E-Groups had lost their celestial orientation […]