New Delhi, India

The astronomical phenomenon of solar eclipse held great importance in ancient societies, dating back to the Mayan civilisation. 

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For Mayans, it was a bad omen which represented death and decay and to fight the evil, they indulged in bloodletting sacrifices. 

Astronomy in Maya civilisation 

The ancient Maya civilisation had some of the best sky-watching societies which comprised of the greatest mathematicians who kept a record of their systematic observations on the motion of the Sun, stars and planets. 

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Using the observations, the mathematicians created a complex calendar system for use in the world. The Sun and the aligned monumental structures like the pyramids were observed closely by astronomers to track solstices and equinoxes. 

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The accounts of the astronomical observations were kept by the scribes in codices which were hieroglyphic folding books made using fig bark paper. 

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The Dresden Codex is among the four remaining ancient Maya texts and dates back to the 11th century. It is filled with astronomical knowledge as well as religious interpretations and has evidence which proves Mayans could predict solar eclipses.

Why did Mayans track the astronomical event?

The Mayans maintained accounts of astronomical phenomena so that they remained forewarned and took proper precautions when something happened. 

The kings and priests would then perform rituals and make sacrifices to the gods to ensure that the cycles of destruction, rebirth and renewal continue.

The Mayans believed that sunsets were related to death and decay. As per their belief system, the sun god "Kinich Ahau" took the perilous journey through the Mayan underworld "Xibalba" after sunset and took birth at sunrise.  

However, they saw the solar eclipse as a "broken sun" which hinted at the sign of cataclysmic destruction.

When the Sun got hidden behind the Moon, the Mayans believed that it was dying and it was said that renewal rituals were important to restore nature's balance and bring him back on his cycle.

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Hence, the civilisation's nobility and kings performed bloodletting sacrifices in which they would pierce their bodies and collect the blood drops which were then burnt as offerings to the Sun god. 

The offering of the "blood of kings" was said to be the highest form of sacrifice which was aimed at strengthening Kinich Ahau. 

According to the Mayan belief system, the creator gods sacrificed their blood and added it to maize dough to create the first humans. The nobility in turn was expected to give their blood to the god to nourish them and bring them back to life. 

(With inputs from agencies)