Imagine a Civilization That Predicted the Future...

The Mayans were a highly advanced civilization that flourished in Mesoamerica from the 2nd century BCE to the 16th century CE. They made significant advancements in mathematics, astronomy, architecture, and art. But perhaps their most intriguing legacy is their complex system of calendars, which included a Long Count calendar that was able to predict future events with remarkable accuracy.

The Long Count Calendar

The Long Count calendar was a 5,200-year cycle that began on August 11, 3114 BCE.
It was based on a system of 20s, with each level representing a different unit of time:
One "kin" was equal to one day.
Twenty Kins made up one "uinal" (20 days).
Eighteen Uinals made up one "tun" (360 days).
Twenty Tuns made up one "katun" (7,200 days).
Twenty Katuns made up one "baktun" (144,000 days, or about 394 years).

Predicting the Future

The Mayans used the Long Count calendar to track the passage of time and to predict future events. They believed that time was cyclical, and that each cycle ended with a period of upheaval and destruction. They used the Long Count calendar to calculate the dates of these events, and to prepare for the challenges that they would bring.

The End of the World

The most famous of the Mayan prophecies was the prediction that the world would end on December 21, 2012. This date marked the end of the 13th baktun of the Long Count calendar. Many people interpreted this prophecy to mean that the world would be destroyed on that day. However, the Mayans did not believe that the world would end in 2012. They believed that the end of the 13th baktun would simply mark the beginning of a new cycle.

Legacy of the Mayans

The Mayan civilization was a remarkable achievement. Their advancements in mathematics, astronomy, architecture, and art continue to inspire people today. Their complex system of calendars was able to predict future events with remarkable accuracy, and it remains a testament to their intelligence and foresight. The Mayans were a truly unique civilization, and their legacy will continue to be studied and admired for centuries to come.