Climate change may explain Maya rise and fall, study says
Monday, November 12, 2012 - 09:30
in Paleontology & Archaeology
Evidence of abundant rainfall early in the Maya civilization and drought later could explain its fate, scientists suggest.Argument has raged for decades over what doomed the ancient Maya civilization and spurred its people to abandon their awe-inspiring temples and pyramids in the rain forests of Mexico and Central America. Warfare, disease, social unrest and over-farming have all been cited as potential factors in the decline of a culture that was scientifically and culturally advanced for 750 years.