| Archaeologists continually debate over what triggered the rise of the Mayan Civilization. But even greater debate ensues over why this once great civilization collapsed. The period that followed the abandonment of the rainforest centers is known as the Postclassic Period. This Period closes upon the Spanish Conquest in the mid-sixteeth century. | |||
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The Post Classic period is characterized by a lack of emphasis on tall pyramids and elaborate structures. Instead, the Maya concentrated on ground level buildings and created their art on stucco which quickly erodes. In fact much less is known of the Maya in the Post Classic Period than in the Classic Period because of the lack of art, artifacts and structures from the Post Classic Period. | ||
Many archaeologists agree that the collapse of the Mayan civilization was triggered by a number of factors. Population was probably one of these. According to researchers, parts of the Mayan region were sustaining nearly 400 people per square mile - a heavy density for an agriculturally based society. Other factors could have been malnutrition and disease. Studies of human bones and teeth from Late Classic burial mounds has found strong evidence of these factors, including syphilis and other communicable diseases. |
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| The social gulf between the ruling elite and the common people is another factor that archaeologists feel contributed to the decline of the civilization. | |||
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Finally, some researchers feel that the breakdown of trade contributed greatly to the collapse. Archeologists believe that "realms" may have been established where outlying districts provided items of trade. These items were brought to a central location for redistribution. These economic links become vulnerable during times of stress and change. The causes of the Mayan collapse are obviously complex and varied, and not yet well understood. But the consequences of the collapse are clear. Construction of ceremonial centers stopped; the intensive farming methods ceased; the population dropped from an estimated three million to 450,000 in less then a century. |
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