The mayas were skilful astronomers and through their knowledge of the heavens were able to draw up a calendar. This was a great achievement at a time when there were practically no scientific instruments to help them.
The year (tun) was divided into eighteen periods (vinal). The names of these eighteen periods were of various animals and colours. When the vinal added up to only 360 days, a special short vinal of only five days, known as ‘ghosts’, was added to complete the year. These five days were considered unlucky and nothing was ever done while they lasted.
In addition to this calendar there was a 260-day sacred almanac which was of supreme importance as a guide to daily conduct and an instrument for diving lucky days.
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