As our Strayer text briefly mentions, the Mayans are well known for their detailed calendars and ability to use their complex mathematical knowledge to predict eclipses and cycles of the planets. As we approach 2012 there is more and more talk about the fact that the Mayan calendar, the Long Count Calendar, does not carry over into 2013. Most people joke about this being a prediction of apocalypse, but what does the end of the calendar really represent?
An article in USA Today states that the end of the calendar does not necessarily mean the end of the world, but rather an end of a calendar cycle. This was seen as more of a celebration by the Mayans, but the lack of knowledge about the intentions of the Long Count Calendar these days has led some to cash in on the hype surrounding December 21, 2012 by producing movies and survival guides for the occasion.
Astronomers and historians believe that the Mayans thought of the end of this calendar cycle as a new beginning and rebirth of civilization and that they had no intentions of implying that the world would end in 2012. It is an interesting argument either way, but in my opinion, we have nothing to worry about... hopefully.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I am so glad someone hit on this issue. It's a huge misconception to think that because the Mayans stopped their calendar after so many hundreds of years of calendar it means we're all doomed. At least, lets hope we're both right with this one. Being doomed is no way to be at all.
ReplyDeleteYou might have interest in my blog post on this very same topic: located here!
ReplyDelete