yes they were. from the book 'the civilization of the maya' by Guy Annequin pg.199-200 (1978):The Spanish were very, very thorough.
"the priests were the keepers of scientific knowledge and religion. their task, once again, was as intimately linked to astronomy, as with all other cultural activities, mathematical speculations, time calculations and the calendar, which had true dictatorial powers over Maya life. profoundly original, this calendar reveals a precision even more astounding when we consider that the Maya astronomer-priests believed that the world was a flat disk (not a christian idea after all), and never understood that it revolved around the sun. The vigesimal system usedin their mathematics...enabled them to make complex calculations in the study of celestial phenomena since astronomy ruled and regulated every act of life. For these calculations, they used simple symbols, like a point for one and a bar for 5; moreover, the Maya wereone of the rare people to employ the zero...a thousand years before the Europeans and were thus able to denote a non-entity. They could give positionalvalue to their figures and therefore make complex calculations.
They also knew how to predict eclipses accurately, and drew the movements of venus on tables with a precision stunning modern scientists. ...the Maya astronomers also estimated the venusian synodic year at 584 days; today, we know that it equals precisely 583.92 days, an error of less than one hour per year! These findings are even more astonishing when we realize that the Maya had no optical devices nor time units like the hour or minute...According to Sir Eric Thompson, the Maya calendar was even more exact than the Gregorian one."
well that is a start, i can post more onthe calendar if a discussion evolves here but like i said i have limited resources and new ones would be appreciated.
