Final answer:
The Aztec and Maya civilizations possessed advanced knowledge in math and astronomy, with the Maya having a particularly deep understanding, including the use of zero and the ability to predict solar eclipses. Despite Spanish conquests destroying much of their written materials, surviving artifacts reveal their sophisticated calendars and astronomical insights.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Aztec and Maya were pre-Columbian civilizations known for their significant contributions to math and astronomy. The Maya, in particular, had a profound understanding of mathematics, utilizing a numeral system that featured the use of the number zero, enabling them to perform complex arithmetic and geometric calculations. Their astronomical knowledge was so advanced that they could accurately predict solar eclipses. Spanish conquests led to the destruction of many codices and scientific texts, but some artifacts such as stone etchings and ceramics have survived, offering insights into the mathematical and astronomical prowess of these Mesoamerican cultures.
Both the Maya and the Aztec developed sophisticated calendars based on celestial observations. Notably, the Maya created a calendar that incorporated the cycles of the planet Venus. The extensive understanding of celestial bodies and the passage of time are clear indications of the high level of sophistication the Maya and Aztec civilizations had achieved in fields related to astronomy and mathematics prior to the arrival of Europeans.