They just had a cyclic calendar. It's been know for, hold on to your hats, a couple centuries.
We need change to our history books... something in the lines of:
Mayans: despite having been an ultra violent civilization with a special interest in ripping the hearts out of their own kind, they had one keen sense of humor. While they couldn't predict the future they knew we would be dumber.
PS: The OP should have been "give in to drinking...". Can't edit that now. But I think you got the gist.