Archaeologists Just Found the Earliest Known Named Scientist in the Ancient Americas

Archaeologists have identified **Sak Tahn Waax** as the earliest known named scientist in the ancient Americas, based on newly deciphered inscriptions at a Maya site. The name appears alongside astronomical and mathematical calculations, suggesting Sak Tahn Waax was a revered figure in 7th-century celestial studies. Coverage highlights the discovery’s significance in challenging Eurocentric narratives of early scientific achievement, with experts calling it a ‘paradigm shift’ in understanding pre-Columbian intellectual history.

Major outlets—including *ScienceAlert*, *Phys.org*, *National Geographic*, and *Gizmodo*—emphasize the breakthrough’s reliance on glyph analysis and cross-referencing with known Maya texts. Scholars note the inscription’s inclusion of a complex astronomical formula, reinforcing Sak Tahn Waax’s role as both mathematician and observer. Next steps involve further analysis of the site’s remaining texts to uncover additional named figures or lost works.

Coverage does not yet specify whether Sak Tahn Waax’s contributions will be integrated into academic curricula or if follow-up expeditions are planned. The discovery may also prompt re-examinations of other pre-Columbian cultures’ scientific records.