If you are familiar with other cultures ancient beliefs, you will find that it wasn't only the Mayans who have prophecies about 2012. The ancient Greeks did, as well as the Chinese, the ancient Romans, the Egyptians, the Cherokee, and many others. I find that to be somewhat strange. The Mayan civilization has mapped the heavens and made a more accurate calendar then we are capable of even today. The date of 2012 is the time when our planet will have gone through a full cycle that is about 26,000 years. That cycle is called the precession of the equinox, and on the date of Dec. 21st, 2012, we will be in the center of the milkyway galaxy. That happens only once every 26,000 years. That is the reason for much of the theories about 2012.