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Scope of presentation
Introduction to Maya Civilization
1)Possible causes that led to Maya downfall
2)Drought
3)Deforestation
4)conclusion
Background info
Maya disappearance
Introduction:
astronomical system and architecture.
developed their own calendar system.
Exploration&Discovery
Professor David Galaty
By Minh Pham
Malnutrition
Diseases
Theory framework:
prolonged drought in the Maya region led to their civilization destruction
Evidences:
Server, Nasa's aechaeologist proved his point "From pollen trapped in ancient layers of lake sediment, scientists have learned that around 1,200 years ago just before the civilization collapse, tree pollen disappeared almost completely.."
Overpopulation
Evidences from Lake Chichancanab in Yucatan
Dated back to 9th century
Mud level built up 1000 years ago show that lake level fell very low at that time
Also, The mayans lived in a seasonal desert area, having no access to clean water so their only source of water would be collecting rainfall into reservoirs.
Therefore this theory of drought may be right!
More scientific evidences:
ice core analysis in Greenland
It observed a drop in Ammonium level
suggesting that there was little vegetation.
Further confirmed the theory.
Archeological evidence:
Thirty bodies 10 men 10 women 10 kids
brutally murdered. It supported the hypothesis of War, however forensic evidence showed that they were related.
Also, teeth were carefully perforated and pointed,
suggests their roles back in the Maya society: Maya elite priests who were sacrificed. As they failed to call forth the rain.
Historical evidences & Scientific technology
Science came right in!
Scientific fact: weather is a world phenomenon so he started to look through history of world weather at the approximate time of Mayan disappearance around late 8th century.
Meteorology paper: "Dendrochrology, mass balance and glacier front fluctuations in northern Sweden" : It was exceptionally cold in Sweden at that time.
Scientific system: "North atlantic high pressure system --> link weather from Europe to North America.
Prove that when it is extremely cold in Europe,
there will be no rain in maya areas.
Maya hieroglyphic writing:
Cim cehil: The deer die
Metaphor for severe drought
This show us the tenable conclusion
that heavy drought happened in Yucatan.
Conclusion
Questions ?
THANK YOU!
Drought is possibly the culprit that drove the whole Maya civilization to extinction. However, It might not be the only cause, other possible scenarios like deforestation caused by slash-and-burn farming method, malnutrition and population growth may have intensified the situation.
What we are sure of is Drought played a very big role in the collapse of this civilization or even jumpstarted it. Other factors may have intensified the situation.