Maya Calendar
SUMMARY
A civilization obsessed with deep time. Their long count ended in 2012 — or began again.
FULL DOSSIER
The Maya tracked Venus cycles, eclipses, and the Long Count calendar with naked-eye precision rivaling any pre-telescopic culture. The Long Count's 13th baktun ended December 21, 2012 — Maya scholars said repeatedly this was an odometer rollover, not an apocalypse, which is exactly what didn't get reported. Links: 2012 (the panic it accidentally scheduled), Quetzalcoatl (the returning-teacher tradition), Teotihuacan (its cultural neighbor).
SOURCES ON RECORD
01Aveni, 'Skywatchers'
02Dresden Codex Venus tables
032012 scholarship (Stuart)
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