The ancient Mayan civilization, which existed in Mesoamerica for thousands of years ago, has always remained a big mystery for all. The most obscure thing about this age-old civilization is its demise.
According to the researchers, it was a lengthy drought that led to the collapse of the Mayan civilization.
The revelations have been made in a research work that involved mineral testing along a massive underwater cave, called in the Great Blue Hole, situated in Belize.
The Mayans flourished for four centuries from 300 to 700 CE and dominated the Yucatan peninsula. During this period, the Mayans boasted a completely developed writing system along with several creative innovations in the form of art & architecture, mathematics and science. After existing for colorful four centuries, the Mesoamerican civilization dramatically dissipated.
The archaeologists, historians and anthropologists have long speculated about the reasons behind the Mayan’s ancient decline. But now, the scientists say it was an extreme drought occurred between 800 and 900 CE that led to the extinction of the civilization.
According to the researchers, the measurement of the minerals found in Belize’s so-called Blue Hole suggest that the Yucatan peninsula had witnessed an extreme drought conditions between 800 and 900 CE.
The Blue Hole is a massive underwater cave whose so-called entrance looks like a perfect blue circle.
The researchers further said that due to the draughts, the Mayans relocated toward north. But another severe drought occurred that finally left the ancient Mayans decimated.
Study author Andre Droxler, an Earth scientist at Rice University, said, “When you have major droughts, you start to get famines and unrest.”
The new revelations are an expansion on a study that was first reported in the journal Science in the year 2012.
