Method of Construction
Constructed by: Kate McCloskey '97
The first step in making the calendar wheels is to cut two
3/4-inch-thick boards into a 25 cm square (for the large days
wheel) and a 15 cm square (for the small number wheel). Next,
find the center of each board and drill a half-inch hole. From
the center of the large wheel, drill twenty half-inch holes
around a circle of radius 10.75 cm; they should be spaced about
18 degrees apart when finished. From the center of the small
wheel, drill thirteen half-inch holes around a circle of radius
7.31 cm; they should be spaced about 27.7 degrees apart when
finished. Then cut the two squares into circles of radius 10.75
cm (large) and 7.31 cm (small), which should cut the drilled
holes in half. Next, cut twenty half-inch dowel pegs 3/4 inches
in length which are then glued into the indentations (left by the
drill holes) in the large wheel. The two wheels are then attached
by placing a half-inch dowel rod in the center of each wheel and
then through a 18.25 cm board, allowing the small wheel to rotate
around the large one to count the days of the week.
Sources, Resources and Links
Nuttal, Z. "The Fundamental Principles of Old and New
World Civilizations." Archaeological and Ethnological Papers
of the Peabody Museum, v. 2. Salem, MA: The Salem Press Co.,
1900.
Seler, E. "The Day Gods of the Mayas." Mexican and
Central American Antiquities, Calendar Systems, and History.
Ed. Bowditch, C. P. Washington, DC: Washington Government
Printing Office, 1904.