Good morning, soon to be afternoon! Our Core Concentration blog prompt for today is to explain which of the theories about the downfall of the Maya civilization we believe to be true.
Background information: scientists have, and have had for awhile, a lot of theories about why the Maya civilization suddenly began to collapse around 900 CE. They didn't really collapse, in a classical sense, but rather the people suddenly began to move and disappear, leaving behind only ruins that modern-day Mexico would grow from and that Spain would one day have to their own. Some scientists and historians believe that it was due to the Mayans feeling overwhelmed by demands from their rulers. Some believe that it was due to too much warfare and slash-and-burn agriculture destroying the climate. Others believe the climate changed naturally.
As usual, I'd definitely say it was a mix of some of these theories. My best bet, however, probably leans toward the second theory that I named as well as the last one. People tend to take the environment of the area where they live for granted. Human innovation, as brilliant as it is, can always be harmful, especially to nature. This is what global warming is doing to all of the world now, and it's the reason we're told to recycle and conserve energy. Even though the Maya were masters at their arts and running their civilizations, they didn't know any better than to continue doing as they always did. They didn't have conservation efforts like we do now. Even though Western society as it is could definitely learn from the Maya, they weren't aware that everything should be taken and done in moderation. I guess.
Background information: scientists have, and have had for awhile, a lot of theories about why the Maya civilization suddenly began to collapse around 900 CE. They didn't really collapse, in a classical sense, but rather the people suddenly began to move and disappear, leaving behind only ruins that modern-day Mexico would grow from and that Spain would one day have to their own. Some scientists and historians believe that it was due to the Mayans feeling overwhelmed by demands from their rulers. Some believe that it was due to too much warfare and slash-and-burn agriculture destroying the climate. Others believe the climate changed naturally.
As usual, I'd definitely say it was a mix of some of these theories. My best bet, however, probably leans toward the second theory that I named as well as the last one. People tend to take the environment of the area where they live for granted. Human innovation, as brilliant as it is, can always be harmful, especially to nature. This is what global warming is doing to all of the world now, and it's the reason we're told to recycle and conserve energy. Even though the Maya were masters at their arts and running their civilizations, they didn't know any better than to continue doing as they always did. They didn't have conservation efforts like we do now. Even though Western society as it is could definitely learn from the Maya, they weren't aware that everything should be taken and done in moderation. I guess.
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