The end of time or a new beginning in 2012?

One of the primary resources for study of Mayan astronomy is the epigraphic record in four Mayan codices containing hieroglyphic writings that survived the widespread Spanish book burning of the conquest period. The rediscovery of these volumes in European libraries in the mid-nineteenth century marks the beginning of modern inquiry into the intellectual achievements of the Maya. Charles H. Smiley, Brown University commented on the Dresden Codex as the most important document to understand Mayan astronomy and their calendars that survived the book burning by the Spaniards. Other important codices that survived are The Madrid Codex, The Paris Codex, and the Grolier Codex.

Linda Schele, (30 October 1942-18 April 1998) a noted expert in the field of Maya epigraphy and (The study of inscriptions) iconography (Pictorial illustration of a subject). She had an invaluable participation in the decipherment of much of the Mayan hieroglyphics. (Hieroglyphs are a system of writing used by ancient civilizations). She produced a massive volume of drawings of stelae (Rectangular stone monument, often with carved decorations and/or text) and inscriptions (Words or letters written, engraved, painted, or otherwise traced on a surface) which, following her wishes, are free for use to scholars. In 1978, she founded the annual Maya Meetings at the University of Texas at Austin.
Almost all of the Mayan inscriptions were precisely during Baktun 9 (435-830 AD). This era is known as the time of the Classic Maya. After this point, around 830 A.D., the great Mayan centers were abandoned and their thriving culture mysteriously disappeared. To this day, no one can verify or prove why they left or where they went.

John Major Jenkins an independent researcher says that:

"My theory about the 2012 end-date finds contextual support in two recent discoveries. One is a Pre-Classic mural depicting the Creation myth and the other is a hieroglyphic text pointing explicitly to the 13-Baktun-cycle end date, December 21, 2012. "

Astronomers agree that the slow wobbling of the earth's polar axis causes the precession of the equinoxes, also known as the Platonic Year. Right now this axis roughly points to Polaris, the "Pole Star," but this changes slowly over long periods of time. It is generally thought that the Greek astronomer Hipparchus was the first to discover precession around 128 B.C. Yet scholarship indicates that more ancient

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Mayan astronomy: the end of time or a new beginning in 2012??
We want to hear your view. Write now!