by Scott Shaddox

Created on: August 08, 2009   Last Updated: August 10, 2009

Of the many culture groups found in Mesoamerica, perhaps the most mysterious and intriguing were the ancient Maya. The Maya flourished in the jungles of what is now Mexico and Central America between the years 250 A.D. to 900 A.D. This time period is known as the "Classic Era" of Mayan civilization, a time when construction and urbanization of Mayan "city states" increased dramatically. The Classic Era is also noted as a time when the Maya used intellect to enhance their perceptions of the world around them. Today there are those who claim the Classic Maya had the ability to predict the end of the world. The most agreed upon date for this cycle of Mayan creation to end is December 21, 2012.

The Maya were infatuated with time. Time was the foundation upon which the entire society rested and the method Maya leadership would use to retain power over their subjects. The Maya used the Sun and stars to mark the passage of time and to predict solar eclipses well into the future. Maya timekeeping was so accurate that even today, long after they once flourished, their clocks are only 33 seconds slow. Maya priests and government officials, equipped with knowledge of impending solar eclipses, appeared to their subjects as having the ability to control the heavens. As a result of this facade on their people, order and loyalty to the throne was maintained in Mayan society.

The Maya had several calendars and almanacs, each of which could be interlocked with the others. The long count calendar was used to mark long periods of time, and is the calendar of interest to those who await with dread the approaching Winter Solstice of 2012. According to the Maya, the present cycle of creation began in the year 3114 B.C. and would terminate December 21, 2012 A.D. Exactly what is meant by this end date is open to discussion. There are those who feel a cessation of life as we know it will occur on this day, and for all practical purposes this date signifies the "end of the world." Others remain more skeptical and predict the Winter Solstice of 2012 will pass just like any other December day.

Astonishingly, on December 21, 2012 the Sun will align with the center of the Milky Way for the first time in approximately 26,000 years. No one can be certain what effect, if any, this disruption of energy from the Milky Way will have on Earth. It is disputable whether or not the Maya knew, or even had the means to know, this event would occur the same day their cycle of creation ended. It does, however, add to the mystery and suspense of this quickly approaching date.

It is simply not clear what the Ancient Maya believed would occur at the end of this cycle of creation. Perhaps the change to a new cycle will be similar to the changing of calendars each January 1. Perhaps it will be more. Maybe the Ancient Maya could see how the story ends for planet Earth. Is it possible increasing news of natural disasters and breakdowns in the environment are precursors to events that will continue to unfold as we inch closer to 2012? Could this be a prelude to the Rapture spoken of in the Holy Bible? One thing is certain. As December 21, 2012 approaches, the Ancient Maya will return to the forefront of newscasts throughout the world. They will once again regain some of the power and influence they abandoned in the jungles of Central America so long ago.

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