The Maya were particularly concerned with regularities in the pattern of their world. Observing with great accuracy the cycles of many heavenly bodies (not only the sun and moon but also Venus and probably Mars, Mercury and Jupiter), they linked these to supernatural events and believed that these determined the pattern of events in their own lives.
Thus it was of prime importance to the Maya to be able to record precise dates and relate these to the cosmic pattern. To this end they had a series of interlocking dating cycles. Everyday dates were recorded in a system called the calendar round, which repeated every 52 years.
Alongside this was the Long Count, a cycle repeating over 5130 years, the current cycle of which began on 12th August 3114 BC.
