Mayans predicted a change of times, not end of the world

Mayans predicted a change of times, not end of the world

turns out, the Maya civilization, contrary to rumors, never prophesied end of the world in 2012. According to its calendar after December 21 this year, the world once again will enter a new era. This was said on Wednesday, December 12, Ambassador of Guatemala to Russia Herbert Estuardo Meneses Coronado, speaking in Moscow lecture on chronology of ancient civilization. According the Mayan calendar, the ancient civilization of Central America, December 21, 2012 over the so-called Long Count cycle Age of the Fifth Sun , which began in August 3114 BC. On this date calendar is cut off, which gave pessimists reason to believe that the Maya predicted the end so light, RIA Novosti reported. "Mayan calendar does not end. According to the Mayan calendar, has gone through several eras, and one that will begin December 22, 2012, will continue until May 3, 7138, on the Gregorian calendar, "- said the diplomat. Konorado Meneses said that the chronology Maya worldview played an important role: the cyclical nature of time has been an integral part of their understanding of the functioning of nature and the cosmos. The ancient Indians used many different calendars, of which the most important were two: Ttsolkin and Haab. The first is based on the rotation of the moon around the earth, it was 13 months of 20 days each, the year is 260 days. The second calendar based on the cycle of the Earth's rotation around the sun in it, as in that of modern Europeans adopted the calendar was 365 days, but they were divided by 18 months, a period of 20 days. The number 20 is not accidentally occupied an important place in the calculation of the Maya - many fingers and toes in humans. addition to annual cycles Maya isolated and longer: the Katun (7200 days), baktun (144,000 days or roughly 400 years). The current era of the Mayan chronology, consists of 13 baktun 5000 and lasts 200 years. "Getting period, which ends on 21 December, due to the development of agriculture, with the beginning of maize. This was a real revolution in the world of the Maya, as to how they began to grow corn, they were a nomadic people. With the advent of maize Mayan life changed. Following this new era is to begin, and it starts to take shape now, "- he said. explained diplomat in Maya culture change of epochs was not just another milestone: new era suggests that there is a change in the outlook and activities of both the individual and the family, the team, leading to social, economic, political and cultural change. "Twenty 1 December is not the end of the world., events that occur, to make We think of the new era, which will come on December 22. depends on us as we do ", - concluded Konorado, adding that, in his view, the change of eras means change for the better. "I wish you a 2013 peace and harmony "- diplomat appealed to the audience at the end of the lecture. development of civilization in the ancient Maya held in the territories that are now part of the few modern countries: Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and Honduras. Civilization itself, has a unique writing and culture, fell into disrepair before the conquest of the South American continent by Europeans in the 16th century. However, the Indians themselves do not disappear, and now make up a significant part of the population of the Yucatan Peninsula. Only in Guatemala live 22 ethnic groups, who are descendants of the ancient Mayas.