The Mayan civilization thrived in southern Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize, and western Honduras from around 3000 BC until collapsing during a 200-year drought in the 15th century. The Mayans developed an advanced written language and made significant contributions to art, architecture, mathematics, and astronomy, including independently developing the concept of zero. Their accurate astronomical observations were recorded using a combination of pictures and phonetic script. While the Mayan prophecy does not predict the end of the world in 2012, it does mark the end of the current era as humanity enters a new phase of spiritual awareness, with the winter solstice of 2012 marking the end of the long Mayan calendar cycle.