- The Collapse of the Mayan Civilization (c. 900 CE)
The Classic Maya civilization in Mesoamerica collapsed due to a combination of environmental and social stressors:
Environmental Degradation: Deforestation and soil depletion from intensive agriculture led to food shortages. Prolonged droughts, as confirmed by paleoclimatic studies, exacerbated resource scarcity.
Overpopulation: Rapid population growth strained resources, leading to competition among city-states.
Political Fragmentation: The decentralized nature of Maya city-states meant that no unified response to crises was possible. Elite infighting and warfare intensified.
Social Unrest: Peasant revolts and declining trust in divine kings weakened societal bonds.