Maya text cites 2012 as end of calendar cycle, not end of world
Archaeologists say inscription doesn’t refer to doomsday, but to long-term stability
A newly discovered Mayan text reveals the “end date” for the Maya calendar. But unlike some modern people, ancient Maya did not expect the world to end on that date, researchers said.
“This text talks about ancient political history rather than prophecy,” Marcello Canuto, the director of Tulane University Middle America Research Institute, said in a statement. “This new evidence suggests that the 13 bak’tun date was an important calendrical event that would have been celebrated by the ancient Maya; however, they make no apocalyptic prophecies whatsoever regarding the date.”
“What this text shows us is that in times of crisis, the ancient Maya used their calendar to promote continuity and stability rather than predict apocalypse,” Canuto said.
More evidence to show that this date has no meaning to our modern society. It’s end-of-the-world significance is completely fabricated. However, that doesn’t stop the publicity machine. I do wonder if these several news stories that have come out debunking the myth does manage to temper the fear about it. I’m still expecting that people will take the “you never know” stance and prepare a bit for the date anyway. Even if we use it as a transition date. I suppose that would not be too bad. The world could use a transition to a more enlightened state.
UPDATE: Here is Notes on a New Text from La Corona – a translation.