Mayanist

Though there is some disagreement on it, most Mayanist scholars date the starting point of this calendar back to Aug. 11, 3114 B.C. If this is accurate, then the calendar "resets" by reaching the 13th B'ak'tun on Dec. 21, 2012, at which point it rolls over and begins counting toward another milestone -- just like our calendars rolled over at the end of 2011 and began counting the days and weeks of 2012.

Jason Boyett: Is The 2012 Apocalypse Real? Jason Boyett 2012

Though there is some disagreement on it, most Mayanist scholars date the starting point of this calendar back to Aug. 11, 3114 B.C. If this is accurate, then the calendar "resets" by reaching the 13th B'ak'tun on Dec. 21, 2012, at which point it rolls over and begins counting toward another milestone -- just like our calendars rolled over at the end of 2011 and began counting the days and weeks of 2012.

Jason Boyett: Is The 2012 Apocalypse Real? Jason Boyett 2012

So it's a significant occasion -- if you believe in the Mayanist creation narrative.

Jason Boyett: Is The 2012 Apocalypse Real? Jason Boyett 2012

So it's a significant occasion -- if you believe in the Mayanist creation narrative.

Jason Boyett: Is The 2012 Apocalypse Real? Jason Boyett 2012

Though there is some disagreement on it, most Mayanist scholars date the starting point of this calendar back to Aug. 11, 3114 B.C. If this is accurate, then the calendar "resets" by reaching the 13th B'ak'tun on Dec. 21, 2012, at which point it rolls over and begins counting toward another milestone -- just like our calendars rolled over at the end of 2011 and began counting the days and weeks of 2012.

Jason Boyett: Is The 2012 Apocalypse Real? Jason Boyett 2012

So it's a significant occasion -- if you believe in the Mayanist creation narrative.

Jason Boyett: Is The 2012 Apocalypse Real? Jason Boyett 2012

As the pioneering Mayanist Edward H. Thompson wrote in 1932, American jade had become the most mysterious stone of the world. . .

Nothing Gold Can Stay Hugh Thomson 2011

So it's a significant occasion -- if you believe in the Mayanist creation narrative.

Jason Boyett: Is The 2012 Apocalypse Real? Jason Boyett 2012

Though there is some disagreement on it, most Mayanist scholars date the starting point of this calendar back to Aug. 11, 3114 B.C. If this is accurate, then the calendar "resets" by reaching the 13th B'ak'tun on Dec. 21, 2012, at which point it rolls over and begins counting toward another milestone -- just like our calendars rolled over at the end of 2011 and began counting the days and weeks of 2012.

Jason Boyett: Is The 2012 Apocalypse Real? Jason Boyett 2012

Unfortunately, Eric Thompson, the greatest Mayanist of his day, was firmly convinced that the Maya script could not be phonetic and he attacked vigorously anyone who held such views.

Primary sources of Maya history - part three 2008