After extensive research, many archaeologists agree that it is most likely that the Mayans were subject to a lengthened period of severe drought that affected most of Central America. The Mayans lived far from major rivers and relied on water collected by their reservoirs. These reservoirs would not have been very effective during the drought season, resulting in water shortages. Lack of water would result in a severe decline in agriculture and therefore the availability of food. The Mayans would have been subject to a famine, with many dying from malnutrition. Furthermore, a decline in water would have affected the hygiene of the Mayans, possibly resulting in widespread disease.
In 2003, archaeologist Richardson Gill, conducted research on the lake bottom in the Yucatan near to where the Mayans were believed to have lived. His research confirmed that the area was subject to deforestation, soil erosion and drought. This evidence is again reliable as it is again, scientific environmental evidence. Furthermore, David A. Hodell, a scientist from the University of Florida conducted research on the sediment cores surrounding the area of the Maya, indicated a period of increased dryness during about 800 AD.
The Mayans were extremely dependent on slave labour and another popular theory concerning the disappearance of the Mayans is that of a peasant revolt and, warfare. The Mayan nation had three distinct classes. The majority of the people were the farmers. The farmers had rights no better than slaves and performed hard labour. The middle class consisted of professionals, artisans and merchants. They expected respect from the farmers and were rich in wealth. The smallest layer of the Mayan social structure was the ruling noble class. These nobles were the top of society and were extremely rich and were seen as descendants from the gods. There was a clear distinction between those of high class and low class in the Mayan society with the higher classes often very rich in power and wealth as opposed to the poor peasants of the low class. This created tension between the classes and contributed to a growing sense of disconnectedness.
Life became extremely arduous for the peasants of Maya with seemingly endless construction projects, completed with no machinery or useful tools. This may have led the Mayans to begin to question the religious traditions of their culture. Influenced by the evident contrast between the lavish lifestyle of the theocratic Kings, it is likely that the peasants abandoned the city, leaving the nobility alone, incapable of providing for themselves.
English archaeologist and epigrapher, Sir John Thompson supported this theory, suggesting that the peasant revolt would explain the various incomplete infrastructures found in the Mayan area. Archaeological evidence indicates that the Mayans were at their building and expansion peak from 730 BC to 790BC, towards the Mayan collapse. Though this theory is somewhat logical, it lacks substantial evidence. This evidence is somewhat biased to Sir Thompson’s opinion; it is circumstantial evidence. There is no clear indication that the infrastructures were abandoned because of peasant revolt as it may have been damaged by the environment or warfare.
Though both theories have been supported by various archaeologists and historians, the drought and subsequent lack of resources theory is the more plausible theory. The peasant revolt theory whilst being quite logical lacks substantial evidence to back up the theory. The evidence that most historians put forward to prove the peasant revolt theory is indirect and unconvincing; it is not reliable. The drought theory is a much more accurate theory with scientific evidence from modern day experiments to support it. Although it is the more credible between the two, it raises various questions. Many civilisations were able to overcome drought, why were the Mayans an exception? The mystery surrounding the disappearance of the Mayans has puzzled historians for many years and with much evidence having been lost with time it seems that they Mayan disappearance mystery will continue to puzzle not only historians but the world.
