Long-Count-Calendar

The Long-Count-Calendar is an intricate system used by several Mesoamerican Civilizations to measure time, particularly notable for its use by the Maya Civilization. This calendar system is designed to track long periods of time, far beyond the life spans of individuals, and it's particularly renowned for its role in dating historical and mythological events.

Structure of the Long-Count-Calendar

• Baktun: The largest unit in the Long-Count, equivalent to roughly 394.25 years.
• Katun: One twentieth of a Baktun, or about 19.71 years.
• Tun: A year, consisting of 360 days.
• Winal: A period of 20 days.
• Kin: A single day.

The Long-Count date is written in a positional notation system, similar to our base-10 system, but it uses base-20 for most units except the Tun which uses base-18. The notation is represented as: Baktun.Katun.Tun.Winal.Kin.

Historical Significance

The Long-Count-Calendar was not just a tool for daily life but was deeply interwoven with Maya cosmology and history:

• It was used to mark significant historical and mythological events, like the Creation Myth of the Maya, which is said to have occurred on 13.0.0.0.0, corresponding to August 11, 3114 BCE in the Gregorian calendar.
• The calendar has been key in deciphering Maya inscriptions, providing insights into the chronology of their history, politics, and religious practices.

End of a Cycle

One of the most widely discussed aspects of the Long-Count-Calendar is the cycle completion on December 21, 2012, when the calendar was to roll over from 12.19.19.17.19 to 13.0.0.0.0. This event sparked numerous interpretations and speculations, with some suggesting it signified the end of the world or a major transformation:

• Archaeological evidence indicates that the Maya viewed this as the end of a baktun cycle and the beginning of a new one, rather than an apocalypse.
• The Maya Civilization had records of dates extending far beyond this cycle, indicating they anticipated continued existence.

Interaction with Other Calendars

The Long-Count worked in conjunction with other Maya calendars like the:

• Haab Calendar, a solar year calendar of 365 days.
• Tzolkin Calendar, a 260-day sacred cycle.

These calendars together formed the Calendar Round, a 52-year cycle where the Haab and Tzolkin aligned.

Legacy and Modern Understanding

The Long-Count-Calendar remains a subject of study for its mathematical complexity, cultural significance, and the insights it provides into Maya civilization:

• Modern scholars and enthusiasts continue to research its mechanics, inscriptions, and its role in Maya society.
• It has influenced contemporary culture, particularly in discussions about time cycles, eschatology, and the intersection of science and indigenous knowledge.

External Links:

• Britannica - Long-Count
• Ancient History Encyclopedia - Maya Calendar
• Maya Exploration Center - Calendar
• Maya Calendar

See Also:

• Maya Civilization
• Tzolk'in Calendar
• Haab Calendar
• Calendar Round