The Mayan Calendar is a calendar created by the Mayan Civilization, a highly advanced culture which developed around 1800 B.C. and was crushed by Spanish conquests in the 16th Century A.D. The Mayan Civilization was based in areas of today's Yucatan Peninsula and Central America.
The Mayan Calendar consisted of three connected parts: The Long Count, the Tzolkin and the Haab. Some believe the Long Count calendar predicts the end of the world in the year 2012, since it ends on the day corresponding on our calendar to December 12, 2012.
End of the World in 2012?
The Long Count division of the Mayan Calendar comes to an end on what experts believe corresponds to December 21 2012 in the Gregorian Calendar. This date would be the 13 Ahau in the Mayan Calendar. The Long Count's starting date is what Mayans believed was the creation of the world. Some Mayan researchers say the interpretation of the end of the world on 13 Ahau is inaccurate, instead the date signifies rebirth and the start of a new cycle.Mayan Calendar Site: The Mayan Calendar USA Today: Does Maya calendar predict 2012 apocalypse? (September 7, 2007)
Featured Video: The Basic Structure of the Mayan Calendar
A description, based on anthropological findings, of how the Mayan calendar was developed, how it was utilized, and how it influenced the Aztec calendar.
It provides viewers with an easy to understand visualization of how it is structured and how to read it.
It also provides additional information on the Mayans and their culture.
There are additional videos, in the videos section, located at the bottom of the page.
References
Fast Facts
-
Fact:
Used by the ancient Mayan Civilization
-
Fact:
-
The Tzolkin is the Mayan Calendar's version of a week, with two versions
-
Fact:
The Haab was the civil calendar, consisting of 365 days divided into Mayan weeksWeb Exhibits.org: History & info - the Mayan calendar
-
Also Adopted by
Aztecs and Toltecs
