DRAFT

date; Sunday 22/08/10
times spent; 20-30 minutes

Here is my draft essay on;

"Assess possible theories on relation to the decline of the Maya civilisation."

pic; http://pottery.about.com/od/glazesurfaces/ig/Mesoamerican-Pottery/Mayan-Vase-with-Noble.htm About.com (Maya vase)

“Assess possible theories in relation to the decline of the Maya civilisation.”

The Maya was an ancient civilisation of the Mesoamerican region which flourished during the classical period (C.E. 200-1000). This civilisation covered an area including Southern Mexico, Guatemala, Northern Belize and Honduras. Between AD 800 and 900, the Maya civilisation underwent a decline that has been called; “One of the most profound cultural failures in human history.” There are many theories in relation to the decline of this classical civilisation ranging from environmental disasters to economic collapse. These and other explanations have been debated between scholars and historians for decades.

One probable theory is destructive environmental conditions. A major factor considered in the demise of the Maya is earthquakes. Proof for this comprises of the present day condition of the Maya ruins and geological evidence related to the frequency of earthquakes in the highlands of Guatemala. Although many experts accept this theory, it has also been dismissed. Some historians believe it would be highly unlikely for an entire region to evacuate due to natural forces. As with the Pompeii disaster, an earthquake in the Maya would have resulted in an abandonment of the city itself, not the entire country. Although earthquakes in this area are violent in the high grounds, the lowlands would be too far away to receive significant damage. There have also only been recordings of earthquakes after the classical period. In relation to the evidence discussed, I think it would be highly unlikely for the decline of the immense Maya civilisation to be the result of a natural disaster.

Another environmental issue considered is climate change. In the year 800, the Yucatan region suffered a 200 year drought. Evidence of this includes the discovery of gypsum-rich sediments found within various lake beds. As this chemical dissolves in water, for it to remain would lead to the conclusion that there was no water present. Archaeological evidence also supports this theory. Maya skeletons have been uncovered in the region, showing severe signs of malnutrition. The population also seems to have decreased from 3 million people to approximately 450, 000. This theory concludes that the drought brought famine to the Maya, whose large population could not be sustained and therefore fell into decline. The only information discounting this theory is that the drought did not occur throughout the whole empire. This theory has been proposed recently, at a time when our modern world is seeing the effects of climate change. Whatever the motivation for the proposal of this theory, I believe that it seems quite probable.


The decline of the Maya empire may have been brought about by foreign invaders. It is difficult to identity exactly who the attackers were, although there is some proof which identifies them as the Teotihuacán culture, from the valley of Mexico. This culture lived in close proximity to the Maya empire and evidence shows they shared a strong relationship. Pottery and Stelae (carved pillars), dating from about the 5th century found in the Maya, show similar artistic features to that of the Teotihuacán culture. For some reason, these two ancient civilisations may have engaged in conflict. It is also noted that the Teotihuacán culture disappeared around the time of the Maya decline. There has also been evidence of occupation by the Mexican Toltec culture (C.E 800-1200) within the Yucatan region. Proof of this included the emergence of Toltec inspired art and architecture appearing in the late 900’s in Chichen Itza; a Maya city that flourished during the Classical period. Maya records indicate that this occupation lasted for a period of 200 years. Teamed up with the theory of drought, brought about by climate change, this idea of foreign attack seems likely. If the Maya was in a state of food scarcity and malnutrition, an invasion when this culture was at its weakest may have been a contributing factor in its decline. With the considerable amount of archaeological evidence in relation to this theory, I believe it would be a feasible explanation.

In the ancient city of Dos Pilas, (modern-day Guatemala), a Maya pyramid containing numerous hieroglyphs was recently uncovered. This discovery offers evidence in relation to the theory of Civil war as an instigator in the decline of the Maya. The hieroglyphs, translated by archaeologists, describe Dos Pilas as an outpost for the city of Tikal. The ruler of Dos Pilas was the brother of the king of Tikal. The hieroglyphs describe how the city-state of Calakmul took the king of Dos Pilas as prisoner. Eventually, he was restored to his throne, but now as a pawn of Calakmul; who turned on his brother and invaded Tikal. Historians originally believed Maya wars were only regional, but this evidence shows they actually had a much wider radius. The cities of Tikal and Calakmul are examples of this; two Maya superpowers, battling each other for control. Chronic warfare leads to the breakdown of the fragile agricultural system, which ultimately resulted in the Maya decline. Simon Martin from the University of Pennsylvania Museum said; “The system broke down and ran out of control.” With such an amount of primary, archaeological evidence from the hieroglyphs supporting this theory, I believe it seems to be a realistic explanation for the Maya decline.

Archaeologist Arthur Demarest (left) and epigrapher Federico Fahsen, both of Vanderbilt University, sit on newly unearthed hieroglyphic stairs at the Maya site of Dos Pilas in Guatemalala.

Economic collapse has also been considered as a possible theory in relation to the decline of the Maya empire. In the 1970's, anthropologist William Rathje studied the pattern of Maya city failure. He found that the first of the cities abandoned were those whose main trading items were luxuries such as decorative pottery and religious items. Because of the 'economic disaster' these items were not in demand, so cities producing them no longer had a trade system. Without the income generated by trade, the cities became worthless. Proof of the weakened Maya economy includes evidence from other cultures. The Mexican Teotihuacan culture disappeared around this period, which may have been associated with an economic downfall. The cities in the Northern Yucatan peninsula and Guatemala highlands, further away from the conventional trade centre, continued to survive, possibly because they were less dependent on trading. The modern crisis associated with the ‘global recession’ may have prompted historians to look at the theory of economic collapse seriously. If the whole world can be affected in this way, why can't an ancient civilisation? From the information proposed, this theory seems likely.

In conclusion, there is much evidence in relation to the decline of the ancient Maya civilisation; a powerful empire that should have stood the test of time. Many theories have been examined throughout the decades, but none have been shown as entirely decisive. The most common view held today is that the decline was attributed to a combination of factors. However, in the opinion of others such as Elizabeth Benson, an expert in Mesoamerican culture, it still remains to be; ‘One of the greatest mysteries of archaeology.’