S8 Ep882: Matthew Shindell explores how ancient civilizations interpreted Mars to understand their connection to the cosmos. He explains that archaeologists studying the Mayan Dresden Codex identified a "Mars beast" representing the planet's opposition and retrogra
Podcast: The John Batchelor ShowPublished On: Sun May 17 2026
Description: Matthew Shindell explores how ancient civilizations interpreted Mars to understand their connection to the cosmos. He explains that archaeologists studying the Mayan Dresden Codex identified a "Mars beast" representing the planet's opposition and retrograde motion. In ancient China, astronomy served as a political tool, where planetary patterns helped hold rulers accountable for maintaining heavenly harmony. Shindell highlights Mesopotamian omen-tracking as the foundational "birth of science" due to their meticulous record-keeping and predictive mathematics. Finally, he discusses how Greek philosophers like Aristotle and Ptolemy struggled to reconcile Mars's erratic behavior with their earth-centered models. (1/4)june 1954
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