Collapse of Ancient Maya civilization coincided with 13-year-drought

A 13-year drought significantly influenced the decline of ancient Maya civilization between 800 and 1000. Researchers analyzed a stalagmite in a Mexican cave, uncovering climate data from 871 to 1021. This study showed consistent patterns of severe drought during typically wet seasons, providing high-resolution climate records. Previous theories about the Maya collapse included factors like trade route changes, war, and disease. New findings support the idea that drought was a critical element in the sociopolitical decline of the Maya society, essential for understanding their collapse.

The rainfall levels revealed that the ancient population suffered through repeated periods of severe drought during what should have been wet seasons.

Our new high-resolution record refines and quantifies these earlier findings and helps prove that drought was a part of the complex sociopolitical decline.

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