The Mayan Number System

 

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The Mayan counted by 20's.  They knew how to use zero long before Europeans did.  Early Mayans could multiply as well as add.  Their calendar was based on 18 months with 20 days each.

The Mayans grouped  years  into 20 year cycles with each cycle being 20 times the one before.  The last cycle in the group was 64,000,000.

Each number was represented by a different Mayan god. Below are a few of the gods and the numbers they represented.

Katun

Baktun

Pictun

Calabtun

20 Years

400 Years

8000 Years

160,000 Years