With a glorious past and a unique legacy, the Mayans were by far one of the largest and oldest civilizations that have existed in America. Proof of this is the advanced knowledge of astrology and the majesty of the architectural monuments, which still prevail in its main ruins. However, despite being one of the most advanced societies of its time and being at the peak of its civilization, from one moment to another, the cities that were populated ceased to be so. Generating with it, one of the greatest mysteries in the world. What were the reasons behind the disappearance of the Mayan society?
When asked, there are many theories that have emerged to try to explain this demographic phenomenon, among them: the invasion of the Spanish, political instabilities, devastating epidemics, alien abduction, and even natural catastrophes.
However, these are only part of the list, in which there is a version for all tastes. But, a theory that seems to gain strength thanks to the most recent archaeological and scientific discoveries, affirms that The Mayans did not disappear, but simply abandoned their cities as a result of great climatic changes.
One of the defenders of this theory is the archaeologist Patricia Castillo Pena, who is the director of the El Tajin archaeological zone in Mexico. According to her, in a study published by the RIA Novosoti agency, There is evidence that between 850 and 1250 AD great climatic changes occurred that would have triggered the exodus of the Maya.
According to the theory formulated by Dr. Peña, the climate of the American continent changed in such a way that, for example: some areas such as central Mexico began to erode, thus becoming semi-desert regions. While the coastal areas were affected by floods due to the rains, All this severely affected the soil and caused a considerable decrease in crops, which gradually led the Mayans to abandon their cities.
Another study that supports this theory was sponsored by NASA, and those in charge of carrying out the investigation were archaeologists. Robert Griffin and Tom Sever; who, using proven computerized simulation models and based on archaeological evidence, demonstrated that deforestation and destruction of the landscape for agricultural use, coupled with the great drought caused by climate change, which occurred around the year 900 AD, would have increased food shortageswhich would finally trigger social decomposition and with it the collapse of the Mayan civilization.
In light of these and other investigations, it is more than likely that climatic changes played a determining role in the disappearance of the Mayan civilization, but only time and subsequent studies will clear us of doubts. Although contrary to what is thought, disappearance does not mean extinction, since although some knowledge was lost during the exodus of the Mayans to other regions, their dialect, culture and traditions are still preserved in the descendants.which still exist in Mexico, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.