Time was measured in bak'tuns, or cycles of about 400 years. The last bak'tun is now ending. But Traxler says the calendar simply starts anew.

"It's like the odometer in your car. The drums will all turn over one more time," she said.

The exhibit showcases more than 150 artifacts including a replica of a stela or pillar that recalls the last time the calendar turned over.

The correlation between the Mayan and Gregorian calendars can be seen on this display.

So do museum visitors believe the world will end?

"I think it's a possibility. I hope it's not going to come true," said one visitor.

But another said, "No. The calendar ends. This period ends. But the world is not going to end."

A recent survey found that 2 percent of Americans are dreading the Mayan apocalypse. The rest of us have until January 13th to see the exhibit.