This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-20803579
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| 'Mayan day of apocalypse' arrives | 'Mayan day of apocalypse' arrives |
| (6 days later) | |
| Thousands of people gathered at ancient sites in Central America and elsewhere in anticipation of what they believe will be the end of the world. | |
| The date - 21 December 2012 - is, some believe, the end of the "long count" calendar of the Mayan civilisation. | The date - 21 December 2012 - is, some believe, the end of the "long count" calendar of the Mayan civilisation. |
| In China, police have arrested hundreds of members of a Christian group who apparently believe the prophecy. | In China, police have arrested hundreds of members of a Christian group who apparently believe the prophecy. |
| Last year, experts said a new reading of the calendar showed that it did not in fact predict the apocalypse. | Last year, experts said a new reading of the calendar showed that it did not in fact predict the apocalypse. |
| Many believe the date instead marks the start of a new era in the calendar. | Many believe the date instead marks the start of a new era in the calendar. |
| Among the believers of the "apocalypse" themselves, there are different accounts as to when exactly the world should end. | Among the believers of the "apocalypse" themselves, there are different accounts as to when exactly the world should end. |
| Some said it would end at midnight on Thursday, while others gave the deadline of just after 11:00 GMT on Friday. Both predictions have failed to materialise. | Some said it would end at midnight on Thursday, while others gave the deadline of just after 11:00 GMT on Friday. Both predictions have failed to materialise. |
| Another group of followers said they were waiting for Friday's dawn, but that has also come and gone. | Another group of followers said they were waiting for Friday's dawn, but that has also come and gone. |
| The misconception about the "prophecy" is not the only myth circulating about the Maya, the BBC's Will Grant in Mexico reports. | The misconception about the "prophecy" is not the only myth circulating about the Maya, the BBC's Will Grant in Mexico reports. |
| Many believe they were wiped out shortly after the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th Century, our correspondent says. | Many believe they were wiped out shortly after the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th Century, our correspondent says. |
| But, in fact, the descendants of the people who built Chichen Itza, a Unesco World Heritage Site, are still here. | But, in fact, the descendants of the people who built Chichen Itza, a Unesco World Heritage Site, are still here. |
| They are the second-largest ethnic group in Mexico, with between 800,000 and a million native Mayan speakers. | They are the second-largest ethnic group in Mexico, with between 800,000 and a million native Mayan speakers. |
| The ancient Maya flourished in modern-day Mexico and parts of Central America between 250 and 900AD. | The ancient Maya flourished in modern-day Mexico and parts of Central America between 250 and 900AD. |
| 'Galactic bridge' | 'Galactic bridge' |
| Hundreds of spiritualists gathered in the city of Merida in Mexico, about an hour-and-a-half from the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza. | Hundreds of spiritualists gathered in the city of Merida in Mexico, about an hour-and-a-half from the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza. |
| Many prepared white clothes and incense to meet the sunrise, which - they believe - would bring the birth of a new age. | Many prepared white clothes and incense to meet the sunrise, which - they believe - would bring the birth of a new age. |
| "The galactic bridge has been established," spiritual leader Alberto Arribalzaga said earlier this week. | "The galactic bridge has been established," spiritual leader Alberto Arribalzaga said earlier this week. |
| "The cosmos is going to take us to a higher level of vibration... where humanity is in glory, in joy," he added. | "The cosmos is going to take us to a higher level of vibration... where humanity is in glory, in joy," he added. |
| In neighbouring Guatemala, thousands congregated on the Mayan ruins of Tikal in the jungles. | In neighbouring Guatemala, thousands congregated on the Mayan ruins of Tikal in the jungles. |
| One spot thought by some to be destined to escape the end of the world is the mountain of Bugarach in southern France. | One spot thought by some to be destined to escape the end of the world is the mountain of Bugarach in southern France. |
| However, those preparing for the end of the world were reported to be far outnumbered by journalists. | However, those preparing for the end of the world were reported to be far outnumbered by journalists. |
| The Turkish town of Sirince, another site reputed to be safe from the end of the world, saw similar scenes on Thursday. | The Turkish town of Sirince, another site reputed to be safe from the end of the world, saw similar scenes on Thursday. |
| Hundreds of reporters were wandering around the town of 570 residents, AFP news agency reported. | Hundreds of reporters were wandering around the town of 570 residents, AFP news agency reported. |
| However, hotels around the Rtanj mountain in Serbia, a site rumoured to have magical powers, were booked out for the big date. | However, hotels around the Rtanj mountain in Serbia, a site rumoured to have magical powers, were booked out for the big date. |
| "I do not really believe that the end of the world is coming, but it is nice to be here in case something unusual happens," Darko, a 28-year-old designer visiting from Belgrade, told AFP. | "I do not really believe that the end of the world is coming, but it is nice to be here in case something unusual happens," Darko, a 28-year-old designer visiting from Belgrade, told AFP. |
| 'Evil cult' | 'Evil cult' |
| In China, police have arrested almost 1,000 members of a Christian group which has predicted that Friday will usher in three days of darkness. | In China, police have arrested almost 1,000 members of a Christian group which has predicted that Friday will usher in three days of darkness. |
| The group, called Almighty God, apparently urged its members to overthrow communism. | The group, called Almighty God, apparently urged its members to overthrow communism. |
| State media terms Almighty God an "evil cult", the same description it applies to the banned Falun Gong group. | State media terms Almighty God an "evil cult", the same description it applies to the banned Falun Gong group. |
| The belief has gained considerable popularity in China, where the film 2012 was a box office hit. | The belief has gained considerable popularity in China, where the film 2012 was a box office hit. |
| A farmer in Hebei province, Liu Qiyuan - not a follower of Almighty God - has built seven survival pods which can contain 14 people each. | A farmer in Hebei province, Liu Qiyuan - not a follower of Almighty God - has built seven survival pods which can contain 14 people each. |
| The pods, made of fibreglass, float on water and can survive storms. | The pods, made of fibreglass, float on water and can survive storms. |
| Mr Liu told AFP news agency: "If there really is some kind of apocalypse then you could say I've made a contribution to the survival of humanity." | Mr Liu told AFP news agency: "If there really is some kind of apocalypse then you could say I've made a contribution to the survival of humanity." |
| To calm anxieties, police in Beijing have posted an online notice telling people that "the so-called end of the world is a rumour". | To calm anxieties, police in Beijing have posted an online notice telling people that "the so-called end of the world is a rumour". |