PAKAL, THE MAYA ASTRONAUT:
A STUDY OF ANCIENT SPACE TRAVEL

by Charles William Johnson

PART: VII

An Alternate Computational Design

Setting aside for the moment the perspective of mechanical engineering, there appears to be another way in which the same idea of movement has been communicated in the image of Pakal. This 7th century sculpture appears to enclose information relative to its basic design. In a later essay, we hope to illustrate the manner in which said information has been enclosed in the design, which would require an extensive explanation.

For now, let us offer the visual image that is suggested by the data's design in this sculpture. The significant point to discern is that the artist who designed this work, did so on the basis of the concept of movement. With one single image, the designer/artist was able to portray the concept of movement, which would allow us to understand the mechanical functioning of the vehicle portrayed therein. One image reveals many. In order to be able to achieve this suggested exploded view, the designer/artist marked off specific points and angles which tell us how to conceive of the single image in order to produce the sequential images.

Pakal: The Maya Astronaut

Introduction

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Part V

Part VI

Part VII

Part VIII

Pakal: A Comment

"Pakal, The Ancient Astronaut:
Paleoanimation of the Sculpture of the Maya at Palenque"