December 21st marks the end of an age in the 5-thousand year-old Mayan calendar, an event which had been predicted as the end of the world or, just an excuse for a party.

 

　　The Mayan descendents have converged on ruins in Guatemala city to pay respects to their ancient civilization.

 

　　For many, the event is an opportunity for the country's indigenous to unite and remember their ancestral roots and traditions.

 

　　Some are saying it is also time for humans to start looking to the ancient Maya as a model for coexistence with nature:

 

　　"Human beings have to decide if they want to continue in this situation we are in. To be a whole human being we need to respect the land, the forests, the mountains, the rivers, and the oceans. That is to say, human beings cannot exist without the existence of these elements."

 

　　The Mayans dominated today's Central American region for some 2-thousand years before mysteriously abandoning their cities around 900 CE.

 

　　They were known for building soaring temples and elaborate palaces.