The Mayan civilization flourished from 300 AD to 900 AD in what is now Mexico and South America. After 900 AD, the mayan people left their cities and returned to rural life. Why, is a mystery. Some say most of the Mayans killed each other off; they were a violent, warfaring people. Other scholars say the Mayan people left their cities because of religious preaching from the North. The ruins of their cities are popular tourist attractions today. People of Mayan descent still live in Mexico and all over the world. http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/CIVAMRCA/MAYAS.HTM
The 2009 movie 2012 is about predictions of doom that comes because December 21, 2012 is the last day of one of the 17 cycles that make up the Mayan calendar.
Be sure to watch the video on this page that shows why it is a mistake to think there is a beginning or an end to a calendar make up of circular clay tablets.
Samabaj
Samabaj is a ruined Mayan city that is now underwater. SCUBA divers discovered Samabaj accidentally in 1997 while diving in Lake Atitlan, in what is now Guatemala. The sizable city covers 4,300 square feet. http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/24859/
The Mayan Calendar's Endless Cycles Explained
Shows how the 17 circular clay tablets of the ancient Mayan Calendar interlock and work together like cogged wheels in a clock. Explains that the cycles of the calendar repeat. Explains that each circular clay tablet calendar has a cycle of a different length. Explains that the full cycle repeats every 52 years.
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Mayans worship the cycles of the universe.
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Fact:
To know the cycles of the universe, one must keep very good track of time.
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Fact:
The Mayans used five different calendar systems to make sure they accurately measured time.
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Fact:
The five Mayan calendar systems are the tzolkin, tun, katun, Venus, and sky gods (stars).
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Fact:
The Mayan religion also involved human sacrifice.
