2012 To Mark Transition To New Era And Not End Of The World - Mayan Expert

Claims that the Mayan calendar forecast the end of the world in 2012 are wide of the mark, according to a German expert.

Sven Gronemeyer, of La Trobe University in Australia, says a Mayan tablet actually says next year will mark the transition to a new era. His comments come after archaeologists confirmed the discovery of a possible second Mayan reference to the date 2012, offering further ammunition for doom-mongers predicting an apocalypse next year.

Mr Gronemeyer has been studying a stone tablet, containing what was previously thought to be the only reference to 2012, found years ago at the archeological site of Tortuguero in Mexico.

He said the inscription describes the return of Mayan god Bolon Yokte at the end of a 13th period of 400 years, known as Baktuns, on December 21, 2012. The text was carved about 1,300 years ago. The stone has cracked, which has made the end of the passage almost illegible.

Mr Gronemeyer said the inscription refers to the end of a cycle of 5,125 years since the beginning of the Mayan Long Count calendar in 3113 B.C. 

"The date acquired a symbolic value because it is seen as a reflection of the day of creation," he said.

"It is the passage of a god and not necessarily a great leap for humanity."