Stay Curious

SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AND UNLOCK ONE MORE ARTICLE FOR FREE.

Sign Up

VIEW OUR Privacy Policy


Discover Magazine Logo

WANT MORE? KEEP READING FOR AS LOW AS $1.99!

Subscribe

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

FIND MY SUBSCRIPTION
Advertisement

Why Did the Maya Abandon Their Once-Bustling Cities?

New research may shed more light on the ancient civilization's 'collapse.'

Credit: Jana Troupova/Shutterstock

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news

Sign Up

In many ways, the ancient Maya lived similarly to people in other past (and even modern day) societies. They made use of nearby resources — like limestone and chert — to construct their cities and homes, engaged in sports and enjoyed a diet rich in corn. The Maya have been celebrated for their stunning architecture, realistic artistic expressions and for advancing our understanding of astronomy and mathematics. They also altered the shape of their own heads, spoke in a myriad of different dialects (many of which are still used today) and often kept their deceased loved ones close by burying them under or within their homes.

For hundreds of years, the ancient Maya flourished in cities located in and around present-day Guatemala. Then, during a period ranging roughly from A.D. 900 to 1100, they rapidly began abandoning their sites — moving so abruptly they even left unfinished construction projects or ...

Stay Curious

JoinOur List

Sign up for our weekly science updates

View our Privacy Policy

SubscribeTo The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Subscribe
Advertisement

0 Free Articles