Historical chronology
Ancient and continuing Maya traditions; this introductory record does not assign a single origin date.
Established

What is documented

The Smithsonian describes Maya calendars connected with cycles of the Sun, Moon and Venus, bringing together astronomical observation and mathematics.

Source: Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian
Interpretation

How to read the evidence

Calendar sophistication should be examined through the specific cycles, texts and observations identified by scholarship. It cannot, by itself, establish who introduced that knowledge.

Source: Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian
What remains unknown

What remains open

A claim of extraterrestrial instruction would need independently testable evidence beyond calendar accuracy. This page does not establish such contact, and a modern interpretation must remain separate from documented Maya knowledge.

Source: Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

Sources

Smithsonian National Museum of the American IndianPrimary source

Calendar — Living Maya Time

Institutional research contextLinked original publication

Museum educational context for Maya calendar cycles. This is not evidence of extraterrestrial contact.

Published: not specified · Accessed: 2026-10-03
Source

Record history

  • Version 1 · Oct 3, 2026 — Initial original, source-linked introduction