Written by: Isaiah Bellville '12
A civilization that has astounded anthropologists for years due to their unexplained disappearance in history is now instilling more confusion in fear into people around the world. How can a civilization that made their grand exit so long ago have such a tight grip on today’s culture?
The Mayan calendar was a complex system, based on mathematics and astronomical calculations. The calendar was complex, with cycles upon cycles with the largest unit of time measurement being a “ba’ak’tun”, set at 394 years. The end of every 13 ba’ak’tuns culminates a “new world”, making people believe that on December 21, 2012, the world will end; December 21, 2012 being the end of the current “world”. However, scientists argue that nowhere in Mayan scripture is there any indication that the end of 13 ba’ak’tuns would be an
apocalypse. In fact, some scientists argue that it may have been a cause for celebration.
The misconception may lie in the interpretation of Mayan literature, seeing as
records have become distorted and hard to read. Michael Coe wrote in 1966 in “The Maya” “there is a suggestion ... that Armageddon would overtake the degenerate peoples of the world and all creation on the
The idea of an apocalyptic prophecy seems to be just an invention of over active minds in a time where people see peril in the most insignificant places.
final day of the 13th (ba’ak’tun). Thus ... our present universe (would) be annihilated (in December 2012) when the Great Cycle of the Long Count reaches completion.” Mark Van Stone, a scholar who specializes in Mayans, said “The notion of a ‘Great Cycle’ coming to an end is completely a modern invention.”
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