Long Count calendar

Definition

The Long Count calendar is a Mesoamerican calendar system used by the Maya civilization to track longer periods of time. It represents a linear count of days from a mythical starting point, allowing the Maya to document historical events and trace their civilization's timeline over centuries, contributing to their sophisticated understanding of time and history.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Long Count calendar consists of five cycles: baktun (144,000 days), katun (7,200 days), tun (360 days), uinal (20 days), and k'in (1 day), allowing the Maya to express dates over vast periods.
2. It was created to keep track of historical events and their significance in the context of Maya culture and mythology.
3. The starting point of the Long Count calendar is often noted as August 11, 3114 BCE in the Gregorian calendar, marking the beginning of the Maya creation myth.
4. Unlike the cyclical nature of other Mesoamerican calendars like Tzolk'in and Haab', the Long Count calendar's linear format allowed for precise historical record-keeping.
5. The Long Count gained significant attention during the early 21st century due to misconceptions about the end date of December 21, 2012, which was seen as a potential apocalyptic prediction.

Review Questions

• How does the Long Count calendar reflect the Maya civilization's understanding of time and history?
  • The Long Count calendar showcases the Maya civilization's advanced knowledge of timekeeping by allowing them to record dates over extensive periods. Its structure includes various cycles that enable tracking significant historical events and developments within their society. This system not only highlights their astronomical skills but also emphasizes the importance they placed on documenting their history through a linear perspective.
• Discuss the relationship between the Long Count calendar and other Mesoamerican calendrical systems such as Tzolk'in and Haab'.
  • The Long Count calendar differs from other Mesoamerican calendars like Tzolk'in and Haab' in its linear approach to timekeeping. While Tzolk'in and Haab' are cyclical systems used primarily for ceremonial and agricultural purposes, the Long Count allows for long-term historical documentation. Together, these calendars form a comprehensive timekeeping system for the Maya, enabling them to navigate both everyday life and significant historical events effectively.
• Evaluate the impact of misconceptions surrounding the Long Count calendar's end date on contemporary perceptions of Maya culture.
  • The misconceptions about the Long Count calendar's end date in December 2012 greatly influenced contemporary perceptions of Maya culture, leading many to erroneously believe that it predicted an apocalypse. This misunderstanding oversimplified the complexities of Maya timekeeping and history while overshadowing their rich cultural achievements. As a result, it prompted a renewed interest in Maya studies but also propagated myths that misrepresent their sophisticated understanding of time as linear rather than cyclical.

Related terms

Maya civilization: An ancient Mesoamerican civilization known for its advancements in writing, mathematics, architecture, and astronomy, which flourished in present-day Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras.

Tzolk'in: A 260-day ceremonial calendar used by the Maya, consisting of 20 periods of 13 days, which was utilized for religious and agricultural purposes.

Haab': A 365-day solar calendar used by the Maya that consists of 18 months of 20 days each, plus a short month of 5 days, providing a framework for their agricultural activities and festivals.