The 2012 Story (62 page)
Authors: John Major Jenkins
Zero date, base date.
Pertaining to the Long Count, corresponding to 0.0.0.0.0. The term “base date” is also used for other types of calculation bases found in Maya inscriptions.
Pertaining to the Long Count, corresponding to 0.0.0.0.0. The term “base date” is also used for other types of calculation bases found in Maya inscriptions.
*Definitions and discussions marked with an asterisk were adapted from their respective Wikipedia entries.
APPENDIX TWO
TIMELINE OF THE 2012 STORY
August 11, 3114 BC. 13.0.0.0.0
. Beginning date of the current 13-Baktun cycle of the Long Count. It is a mathematical back-calculation generated when the Long Count system was inaugurated sometime between 355 BC and the first century BC.
. Beginning date of the current 13-Baktun cycle of the Long Count. It is a mathematical back-calculation generated when the Long Count system was inaugurated sometime between 355 BC and the first century BC.
355 BC
. Long Count inauguration date suggested by Munro Edmonson; a hypothetical calendar reconstruction.
. Long Count inauguration date suggested by Munro Edmonson; a hypothetical calendar reconstruction.
400 BC-1 BC.
Izapa is thriving and its stone carvings are made, depicting early episodes of the Hero Twin Myth.
Izapa is thriving and its stone carvings are made, depicting early episodes of the Hero Twin Myth.
36 BC.
Earliest dated monument in the Long Count, from Chiapa de Corzo.
Earliest dated monument in the Long Count, from Chiapa de Corzo.
31 BC.
Long Count monument from Tres Zapotes.
Long Count monument from Tres Zapotes.
19 BC.
Latest possible date for a fragmented Long Count monument from Tak’alik Ab’aj, a “sister city” to Izapa. It may date to 39 BC, making it the oldest known dated Long Count monument.
Latest possible date for a fragmented Long Count monument from Tak’alik Ab’aj, a “sister city” to Izapa. It may date to 39 BC, making it the oldest known dated Long Count monument.
37 AD.
Long Count date from El Baúl.
Long Count date from El Baúl.
41 AD.
Ending of Baktun 8.
Ending of Baktun 8.
83 AD and 103 AD.
Early Long Count dates on Stela 5 from Tak’alik Ab’aj.
Early Long Count dates on Stela 5 from Tak’alik Ab’aj.
197 AD.
Linda Schele’s dating of the Hauberg Stela.
Linda Schele’s dating of the Hauberg Stela.
292 AD.
Dated monument from Tikal with full Calendar Round and Long Count information. It defined, for a previous generation of scholars, the beginning of the Classic Period (300 AD to 900 AD). Today the origins of Maya civilizations have been pushed back by new archaeological findings.
Dated monument from Tikal with full Calendar Round and Long Count information. It defined, for a previous generation of scholars, the beginning of the Classic Period (300 AD to 900 AD). Today the origins of Maya civilizations have been pushed back by new archaeological findings.
435 AD.
Ending of Baktun 9.
Ending of Baktun 9.
620 AD-820 AD.
Many Long Count dates at Classic Maya sites. Distance Numbers are used and Era beginning and end dates are found at sites such as Quiriguá, Coba, Palenque, Copán, and Tortuguero.
Many Long Count dates at Classic Maya sites. Distance Numbers are used and Era beginning and end dates are found at sites such as Quiriguá, Coba, Palenque, Copán, and Tortuguero.
612 AD.
Balam Ajaw, king of Tortuguero, was born.
Balam Ajaw, king of Tortuguero, was born.
652, October.
13-Baktun Creation Date (3114 BC), first mentioned at Copán.
13-Baktun Creation Date (3114 BC), first mentioned at Copán.
669, January.
13-Baktun end date (2012 AD) recorded at Tortuguero.
13-Baktun end date (2012 AD) recorded at Tortuguero.
711 AD, December 3.
(9.14.0.0.0). Astronomically significant Long Count date found at many sites, including Piedras Negras, Calakmul, Tortuguero, Palenque, Tikal, and Copán.
(9.14.0.0.0). Astronomically significant Long Count date found at many sites, including Piedras Negras, Calakmul, Tortuguero, Palenque, Tikal, and Copán.
738, May 1.
Copán king 18 Rabbit is ritually decapitated. It happened at the “Black Hole.”
Copán king 18 Rabbit is ritually decapitated. It happened at the “Black Hole.”
830 AD.
Ending of Baktun 10; Classic Maya civilization begins failing.
Ending of Baktun 10; Classic Maya civilization begins failing.
909 AD.
Last carved Long Count monument, from Toniná: 10.4.0.0.0.
Last carved Long Count monument, from Toniná: 10.4.0.0.0.
1000 AD.
The Long Count calendar tradition continues in manuscript form, with Long Count dates and distance numbers recorded in the Maya’s Dresden Codex, Madrid Codex, and Paris Codex.
The Long Count calendar tradition continues in manuscript form, with Long Count dates and distance numbers recorded in the Maya’s Dresden Codex, Madrid Codex, and Paris Codex.
1100 AD-1500 AD.
Katun counting is preserved in Yucatán. A Short Count form of the Long Count (a 13-Katun
May
-cycle, or Prophecy cycle) is implemented.
Katun counting is preserved in Yucatán. A Short Count form of the Long Count (a 13-Katun
May
-cycle, or Prophecy cycle) is implemented.
1224 AD.
Baktun 11 ending, probably noted in Yucatán.
Baktun 11 ending, probably noted in Yucatán.
1520s-1570s.
The Conquest. Maya books are burned. Bishop Diego de Landa active in Yucatán, writes his
Relacion de los cosas de Yucatan.
The Conquest. Maya books are burned. Bishop Diego de Landa active in Yucatán, writes his
Relacion de los cosas de Yucatan.
1520s-1700s.
The
Chilam Balam
prophecy books are compiled by Maya leaders in Yucatán. They contain much earlier Katun prophecies and other historical information.
The
Chilam Balam
prophecy books are compiled by Maya leaders in Yucatán. They contain much earlier Katun prophecies and other historical information.
1550s.
The Hero Twin Myth (
The Popol Vuh
) recorded by Quiché elders in Guatemala.
The Hero Twin Myth (
The Popol Vuh
) recorded by Quiché elders in Guatemala.
1618.
Baktun 12 ending celebrated in Yucatán.
Baktun 12 ending celebrated in Yucatán.
1697.
The Itza Maya finally acquiesce to Spanish rule in Flores, Petén.
The Itza Maya finally acquiesce to Spanish rule in Flores, Petén.
1700.
Francisco Ximénez translates
The Popol Vuh
in Guatemala.
Francisco Ximénez translates
The Popol Vuh
in Guatemala.
1752.
Short Count system recalibrated in Yucatán, changing the 20-year Katun cycle to a 24-year cycle. The continuity of the Katun sequencing is affected.
Short Count system recalibrated in Yucatán, changing the 20-year Katun cycle to a 24-year cycle. The continuity of the Katun sequencing is affected.
1761.
Maya reform leader Jacinto Canek captured, tortured, and killed by Spanish army in Mérida, along with many of his followers.
Maya reform leader Jacinto Canek captured, tortured, and killed by Spanish army in Mérida, along with many of his followers.
1770s-1790s.
Spanish travelers take note of ancient ruins of Palenque.
Spanish travelers take note of ancient ruins of Palenque.
1810s
. Memory of pre-1752 placement of Short Count tradition dies with elders.
. Memory of pre-1752 placement of Short Count tradition dies with elders.
1800-1820s.
Explorers such as Count Waldeck visit Maya sites.
Explorers such as Count Waldeck visit Maya sites.
1839.
Catherwood and Stephens record monuments at Copán and Quiriguá containing Long Count glyphs.
Catherwood and Stephens record monuments at Copán and Quiriguá containing Long Count glyphs.
1860s.
Brasseur de Bourbourg publishes
The Popol Vuh
and de Landa’s
Relacion
.
Brasseur de Bourbourg publishes
The Popol Vuh
and de Landa’s
Relacion
.
1880s.
Maudslay makes high-quality photographs of Maya monuments, including Long Count inscriptions.
Maudslay makes high-quality photographs of Maya monuments, including Long Count inscriptions.
1880s.
Förstemann decodes the Dresden Codex in Germany.
Förstemann decodes the Dresden Codex in Germany.
1897.
Goodman’s appendix to Maudslay published, containing free-floating charts for Long Count dates.
Goodman’s appendix to Maudslay published, containing free-floating charts for Long Count dates.
1905.
Joseph T. Goodman publishes “Maya Dates” in
American Anthropologist
. This is the correlation of the Maya and Gregorian calendars that would be confirmed in the 1920s.
Joseph T. Goodman publishes “Maya Dates” in
American Anthropologist
. This is the correlation of the Maya and Gregorian calendars that would be confirmed in the 1920s.
1926-1927.
Juan Martínez Hernández and J. Eric S. Thompson confirm Goodman’s work, producing the original GMT (Goodman-Martínez-Thompson) correlation.
Juan Martínez Hernández and J. Eric S. Thompson confirm Goodman’s work, producing the original GMT (Goodman-Martínez-Thompson) correlation.
1927.
Thompson publishes an article with a chart that could be extrapolated to reach an estimated cycle ending of December 23, 2012, but this never appears to have been done. The cycle ending remained unstated in the literature until Coe’s 1966 book
The Maya
.
Thompson publishes an article with a chart that could be extrapolated to reach an estimated cycle ending of December 23, 2012, but this never appears to have been done. The cycle ending remained unstated in the literature until Coe’s 1966 book
The Maya
.
1920s-1940s.
Ethnographic evidence for the survival of the 260-day tzolkin calendar in the Guatemalan highlands is documented. Invites a reassessment of the correlation by Thompson.
Ethnographic evidence for the survival of the 260-day tzolkin calendar in the Guatemalan highlands is documented. Invites a reassessment of the correlation by Thompson.
1946.
Morley’s
The Ancient Maya
is published, with incomplete Long Count tables, using the original GMT correlation.
Morley’s
The Ancient Maya
is published, with incomplete Long Count tables, using the original GMT correlation.
1950.
Thompson revises the original GMT by 2 days. The result brings the 13-Baktun cycle ending into alignment with December 21, 2012, although the fact has yet to be stated in the literature.
Thompson revises the original GMT by 2 days. The result brings the 13-Baktun cycle ending into alignment with December 21, 2012, although the fact has yet to be stated in the literature.
1956.
The second edition of Morley’s
The Ancient Maya
contains updated Long Count tables, using the revised GMT-2 correlation, but the tables are still incomplete.
The second edition of Morley’s
The Ancient Maya
contains updated Long Count tables, using the revised GMT-2 correlation, but the tables are still incomplete.
1966.
Michael Coe’s
The Maya
is published. It is the first source to mention the 13-Baktun cycle ending of the Long Count, but the book miscalculates it as December 24, 2011 AD.
Michael Coe’s
The Maya
is published. It is the first source to mention the 13-Baktun cycle ending of the Long Count, but the book miscalculates it as December 24, 2011 AD.
1967.
William S. Burroughs mentions 2012 in a parody magazine, according to the findings of John Hoopes.
William S. Burroughs mentions 2012 in a parody magazine, according to the findings of John Hoopes.
1975.
The cycle ending is treated fully by Frank Waters in his
Mexico Mystique
, but he used Coe’s 2011 date. McKenna mentions 2012 in
The Invisible Landscape
. Argüelles mentions 2012 in
The Transformative Vision
.
The cycle ending is treated fully by Frank Waters in his
Mexico Mystique
, but he used Coe’s 2011 date. McKenna mentions 2012 in
The Invisible Landscape
. Argüelles mentions 2012 in
The Transformative Vision
.
1975-1990.
Argüelles develops his Maya calendar system and associates Tony Shearer’s 1987 Harmonic Convergence date with a “twenty-five-year countdown” to 2012. McKenna is elaborating his Time Wave Zero model, now connected to December 21, 2012. Peter Balin mentions 2012 in his 1978 book
Flight of the Feathered Serpent
; Peter Tompkins mentions 2011 in his 1976 book
Mysteries of the Mexican Pyramids
. Barbara Tedlock mentions 2012 in her 1982 book
Time and the Highland Maya
. Argüelles’s
The Mayan Factor
appears in 1987.
Argüelles develops his Maya calendar system and associates Tony Shearer’s 1987 Harmonic Convergence date with a “twenty-five-year countdown” to 2012. McKenna is elaborating his Time Wave Zero model, now connected to December 21, 2012. Peter Balin mentions 2012 in his 1978 book
Flight of the Feathered Serpent
; Peter Tompkins mentions 2011 in his 1976 book
Mysteries of the Mexican Pyramids
. Barbara Tedlock mentions 2012 in her 1982 book
Time and the Highland Maya
. Argüelles’s
The Mayan Factor
appears in 1987.
1988.
Maya scholar Munro Edmonson writes, in his
Book of the Year
, that the solstice placement of the cycle ending in 2012 was unlikely to be a coincidence. For almost two decades after this other scholars asserted, when asked, that it must be a coincidence.
Maya scholar Munro Edmonson writes, in his
Book of the Year
, that the solstice placement of the cycle ending in 2012 was unlikely to be a coincidence. For almost two decades after this other scholars asserted, when asked, that it must be a coincidence.
1992.
John Major Jenkins publishes his book
Tzolkin
, which offered a method by which shifting seasonal quarters were tracked in the Long Count, suggesting how December 21, 2012, might have been targeted.
John Major Jenkins publishes his book
Tzolkin
, which offered a method by which shifting seasonal quarters were tracked in the Long Count, suggesting how December 21, 2012, might have been targeted.
1992-1993.
Linda Schele’s breakthrough work on hieroglyphic decipherments, Maya Creation Mythology, and astronomy.
Linda Schele’s breakthrough work on hieroglyphic decipherments, Maya Creation Mythology, and astronomy.
1991-1995.
Popular books on the Mesoamerican calendar, such as
The Mayan Prophecies
and Scofield’s
Day-Signs,
start appearing. Argüelles’s Dreamspell system released in late 1991.
Popular books on the Mesoamerican calendar, such as
The Mayan Prophecies
and Scofield’s
Day-Signs,
start appearing. Argüelles’s Dreamspell system released in late 1991.
1994.
Jenkins publishes his 2012 alignment theory, connecting the era-2012 alignment of the December solstice sun and the dark rift to Maya Creation Mythology and astronomy. Research culminates in the 1998 relase of his book
Maya Cosmogenesis 2012,
offering a full reconstruction of the origins and intention of the Long Count/2012 cosmology.
Jenkins publishes his 2012 alignment theory, connecting the era-2012 alignment of the December solstice sun and the dark rift to Maya Creation Mythology and astronomy. Research culminates in the 1998 relase of his book
Maya Cosmogenesis 2012,
offering a full reconstruction of the origins and intention of the Long Count/2012 cosmology.
1998.
Geoff Stray’s Internet site Diagnosis 2012 is founded and becomes an indispensable resource for reviews and insights on all things 2012.
Geoff Stray’s Internet site Diagnosis 2012 is founded and becomes an indispensable resource for reviews and insights on all things 2012.
2000-2009.
An explosion of books, films, and websites devoted to 2012 flood the marketplace. Scholars, Maya elders, popular writers, the
New York Times
, and documentaries cover and comment on 2012.
An explosion of books, films, and websites devoted to 2012 flood the marketplace. Scholars, Maya elders, popular writers, the
New York Times
, and documentaries cover and comment on 2012.
2005.
Geoff Stray’s book
Beyond 2012
is published.
Geoff Stray’s book
Beyond 2012
is published.
2005.
Victor Montejo’s
Maya Intellectual Renaissance
is published. Discussion of the indigenous “Baktunian movement.”
Victor Montejo’s
Maya Intellectual Renaissance
is published. Discussion of the indigenous “Baktunian movement.”
2006.
Robert Sitler publishes “The 2012 Phenomenon,” the first academic treatment of the topic.
Robert Sitler publishes “The 2012 Phenomenon,” the first academic treatment of the topic.
2006, April.
The 2012 text from Tortuguero is translated and discussed, with varying opinions on its importance.
The 2012 text from Tortuguero is translated and discussed, with varying opinions on its importance.
2007.
Michael Grofe completes his PhD dissertation, which argues convincingly for accurate knowledge of the rate of the precession of the equinoxes in the Dresden Codex.
Michael Grofe completes his PhD dissertation, which argues convincingly for accurate knowledge of the rate of the precession of the equinoxes in the Dresden Codex.
2008.
Barb MacLeod offers her “3-11 Pik formula,” detailing a precession-based mechanism in the Classic Period inscriptions used by Maya kings.
Barb MacLeod offers her “3-11 Pik formula,” detailing a precession-based mechanism in the Classic Period inscriptions used by Maya kings.
2009, February.
The first academic 2012 conference takes place, held at Tulane University in New Orleans.
The first academic 2012 conference takes place, held at Tulane University in New Orleans.
2009, February-March.
New discoveries on dark-rift astronomy and 2012 connections at Tortuguero and Copán made by Grofe and Jenkins (see Chapter 7).
New discoveries on dark-rift astronomy and 2012 connections at Tortuguero and Copán made by Grofe and Jenkins (see Chapter 7).
2009, November.
Sony Pictures releases mass media 2012 movie.
Sony Pictures releases mass media 2012 movie.
The 2012 story is, of course, not yet finished. As of May 31, 2009 (a 4 Ahau day), there are exactly 5 tzolkin cycles (1,300 days) remaining to December 21, 2012. We might wish to recognize the 260-day time resonance countdown of 4 Ahau dates: May 31, 2009; February 15, 2010; November 2, 2010; July 20, 2011; April 5, 2012; December 21, 2012. Interestingly, the initiation day of contemporary day-keeper practice, 8 B’atz (8 Monkey), occurs on December 12, 2012, nine days before 13.0.0.0.0.
December 21, 2012.
The cycle-ending date of the 13-Baktun period of the Maya Long Count calendar.
The cycle-ending date of the 13-Baktun period of the Maya Long Count calendar.
December 21, 2012 AD = 13.0.0.0.0 = 4 Ahau 3 Kankin
NOTES
1. Frontispiece poem: Jenkins, John Major.
Shadow, Stone, and Green
. Denver, CO: Four Ahau Press, 2008.
INTRODUCTION: AN UNSTOPPABLE IDEAShadow, Stone, and Green
. Denver, CO: Four Ahau Press, 2008.
1
Tedlock, Dennis (trans.).
The Popol Vuh: The Definitive Edition of the Mayan Book of the Dawn of Life and the Glories of Gods and Kings,
revised edition. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1996, p. 70.
Tedlock, Dennis (trans.).
The Popol Vuh: The Definitive Edition of the Mayan Book of the Dawn of Life and the Glories of Gods and Kings,
revised edition. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1996, p. 70.
2
McKenna, Terence. “The Light of the Third Millennium.” Talk given in Austin, Texas, 1997.
http://edj.net/mc2012/TM-Light.mp3
(at 35:10).
McKenna, Terence. “The Light of the Third Millennium.” Talk given in Austin, Texas, 1997.
http://edj.net/mc2012/TM-Light.mp3
(at 35:10).
3
Fox news report with Dr. Michio Kaku. April 25, 2009.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hujQg2E_fDw
. Dr. Kaku himself doesn’t assert this, but the banner beneath the report does.
CHAPTER 1. RECOVERING A LOST WORLDFox news report with Dr. Michio Kaku. April 25, 2009.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hujQg2E_fDw
. Dr. Kaku himself doesn’t assert this, but the banner beneath the report does.
4
de Landa, Friar Diego.
Yucatan Before and After the Conquest,
trans. by William Gates. Baltimore: The Maya Society, 1937. Also at Sacred Texts online:
http://sacred-texts. com/nam/maya/ybac/ybac59.htm
.
de Landa, Friar Diego.
Yucatan Before and After the Conquest,
trans. by William Gates. Baltimore: The Maya Society, 1937. Also at Sacred Texts online:
http://sacred-texts. com/nam/maya/ybac/ybac59.htm
.
5
Goetz, Delia, and Sylvanus Morley (English trans. after the Spanish trans. of Adrián Recinos).
The Popol Vuh: The Sacred Book of the Ancient Quiché Maya
, original trans. by Francisco Ximénez. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1950, p. 6.
Goetz, Delia, and Sylvanus Morley (English trans. after the Spanish trans. of Adrián Recinos).
The Popol Vuh: The Sacred Book of the Ancient Quiché Maya
, original trans. by Francisco Ximénez. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1950, p. 6.
7
Perera, Victor, and Robert D. Bruce.
Last Lords of Palenque.
Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1982; Bruce, Robert D.
Lacandon Dream Symbolism
. 2 vols. Mexico: Ediciones Euroamericanas, 1975-1979.
Perera, Victor, and Robert D. Bruce.
Last Lords of Palenque.
Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1982; Bruce, Robert D.
Lacandon Dream Symbolism
. 2 vols. Mexico: Ediciones Euroamericanas, 1975-1979.
8
Graham, Ian.
Alfred Maudslay and the Maya, A Biography.
Norman, Okla.: University of Oklahoma Press, 2002, p. 99.
Graham, Ian.
Alfred Maudslay and the Maya, A Biography.
Norman, Okla.: University of Oklahoma Press, 2002, p. 99.
10
Durán, Fray Diego.
Book of the Gods and Rites of the Ancient Calendar,
trans. by Fernando Horcasitas and Doris Heyden. Norman, Okla.: University of Oklahoma Press, 1971, p. xii.
Durán, Fray Diego.
Book of the Gods and Rites of the Ancient Calendar,
trans. by Fernando Horcasitas and Doris Heyden. Norman, Okla.: University of Oklahoma Press, 1971, p. xii.
11
Robertson, William.
The History of America
, 1777. Quoted in Tompkins, Peter,
Mysteries of the Mexican Pyramids
. New York: Harper & Row, 1976, p. 40.
Robertson, William.
The History of America
, 1777. Quoted in Tompkins, Peter,
Mysteries of the Mexican Pyramids
. New York: Harper & Row, 1976, p. 40.
12
de Pauw, Cornelius.
Recherches Philosophiques sur les Américains
, 1769. Quoted in Tompkins, Peter,
Mysteries of the Mexican Pyramids
. New York: Harper & Row, 1976, p. 42.
de Pauw, Cornelius.
Recherches Philosophiques sur les Américains
, 1769. Quoted in Tompkins, Peter,
Mysteries of the Mexican Pyramids
. New York: Harper & Row, 1976, p. 42.
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