Development and Disintegration of Maya Political Systems in Response to Climate Change

TLDR

Climate change has historically impacted societies worldwide, exemplified by the Classic Maya civilization (300–1000 C.E.) whose detailed records reveal its effects. The study uses a high‑resolution stalagmite record from a Belize cave to reconstruct Classic Maya climate. Precise precipitation reconstructions correlate with Maya political upheaval, warfare, and demographic shifts. Kennett et al.

Abstract

Maya and Climate Climate has affected the vitality of many different societies in the past, as shown by numerous records across the globe and throughout human history. One of the most obvious and spectacular examples of this is from the Classic Maya civilization, whose advanced culture left highly detailed records of all aspects of their existence between 300 and 1000 C.E. Kennett et al. (p. 788 ; see the cover) present a detailed climate record derived from a stalagmite collected from a cave in Belize, in the midst of the Classic Maya settlement. The fine resolution and precise dating of the record allows changes in precipitation to be related to the politics, war, and population fluctuations of the Mayans.