Mayans welcome new era

Mayan priests have started to perform ceremonies designed
 to mark the end of the current era which began around 1618.

Only weeks to go for a new era on the Mayan calendar. Mayan priests have started to perform ceremonies designed to mark the end of the current era which began around 1618.

They danced, burned incense and blew on conch shells in a "new fire" ceremony held in Chapultepec park in Mexico City. The Maya measure time in 394-year periods known as Baktuns. Ending this December 21st is the 13th one. Although 13 is a sacred number for the Maya, this era includes the painful aftermath of the Spanish conquest.

Now there are estimated 800,000 surviving Mayas in Mexico, and like their ancestors, they have had to leave their ancient buildings for one reason or another. The priests say they are barred from performing the rituals at their own ancestral temples. According to local authorities, the sites are closed for such activities for reasons of conservation and safety.