The Maya Temple of Kukulkan, often called “El Castillo” (the castle), is a step pyramid at the Chichen Itza site in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula; it dates from the Early Post-Classic period.
New satellite technology reveals that the Maya may have caused climate change that led to the destruction of their civilization. The evidence suggests that Maya farming practices may have caused local temperatures to rise and bad droughts to hit the area.
It has long been thought that the Maya relied on slash-and-burn farming techniques to feed themselves. The new satellite images show ancient drainage canals and farmland in the wetlands in the areas settled by the Maya. Researchers believe that the combination of the slash-and-burn farming and the conversion of the wetlands to farmland led to the climate change.
The American satellite program, called SERVIR, allows scientists to study and observe Central America’s environment, to help with natural disasters, prevent wildfires, and make recommendations on land use. The evidence of the Maya farming practices is an unexpected use of the satellite program.
The reason for the decline of the Maya is a mystery that has baffled scientists. The powerful Mesoamerican civilization disappeared around A.D. 900. Researchers have suggested many possible reasons for the Maya’s decline, including warfare, overpopulation, and disease.
Image credit: Goodshoot/Jupiterimages/Getty Images
Related Links
- Maya May Have Caused Civilization-Ending Climate Change
Covers the new evidence of the decline of the Maya, as well as the goals and effectiveness of the SERVIR satellite program.
(Source: National Geographic, February 29, 2008) - SERVIR.net
Web site of the SERVIR satellite program. Includes a constantly-updated satellite image of Central America, as well as extensive information on the satellite program.
(Source: SERVIR.net, March 17, 2008) - Map of Mesoamerica
Map of Mesoamerica and its ancient civilizations. Click on “Maya Area” link to view the extent of the Maya territory and their city-states.
(Source: Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies)