Episode 03

Global Calendar Diversity

Many correct noons

A chronological journey through Egyptian civil years, Chinese lunisolar almanacs, Maya Long Count, Hijri months, Vikram Samvat, and the Hebrew intercalation.

Beats

• Sirius and the Nile as a year that does not need a leap day at first.
• Intercalation as a political act.
• The Long Count as a machine for deep time.

Terms

Lunisolar

Months follow the Moon; years are corrected to the Sun.

Intercalation

Inserting extra days or a month so festivals stay in season.

Discussion

1. Why might a community refuse a more 'accurate' calendar?
2. What does a calendar's epoch (year 1) reveal about a culture's story of the world?