Maya Civilization Collapse
By: Pam Vallejos and Charlotte Craig
Thesis
Environmental
Before the collapse the area was filled with a dense rain forest that rose up to about 150 feet, and many scattered savannas and swamps that interrupted it. When dry season began the air was unbearable to breathe in. Their agriculture had died and burned. Usually after dry season rain would come in place and clear the atmosphere, but after the deforestation, rain barely fell anymore which lead to even higher consequences in their society.
Political
Warfare
At first the Mayans were seen as peaceful and friendly, but resent discoveries have found that they were not at all. The Mayans started many wars against other civilizations and captured their people for their own religion purposes, such as human sacrifice. They also used warfare to gain control politically over people and resources. All the wars were led by their king and were thought to be very week planned out. The main reason they went to war is to expand their territory and gain control in order to build a bigger empire.
Works Cited
http://www.delaselva.com/contents/prophecy_files/prophecy16.gif
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/1192/219179170945de045d7abfw1.jpg
http://www.world-mysteries.com/Fall_drought.jpg
http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/9821/yucatanmaptraderoute.jpg
Typed Responses:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/cultures/maya_01.shtml
http://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1690745?terms=mayan+civilization+
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2009/06oct_maya/