The scientists identified the cause of the destruction of the Mayan civilization and 2012

The scientists identified the cause of the destruction of the Mayan civilization and 2012 
 
For 1200 years the Maya dominated Central America. At their peak around the year 900 AD, Maya cities populated by approximately 2,000 people per square mile, with the city of Los Angeles County. Even in rural areas, the population continued to show large numbers, 200-400 people per square mile. But suddenly, all was quiet. And this silence is a witness to one of the demographic collapse in human history, the collapse of the Maya peradababan

So what happened? Several researchers funded by NASA to think that they know the answer. 

"They did it to themselves," says veteran archeologist Tom Sever.
"The Maya are often depicted as people who live in harmony with the environment," says PhD student Robert Griffin. "But like many other cultures before and after them, they cut down forests and destroying their environment to survive in difficult times."
According to the researchers, the long dry season came at the same time with the loss of the Mayan civilization. And at the time of collapse, the Maya had cut down many trees to provide a land of corn for their growing populations. In addition they also cut down trees to make firewood and make buildings.
 
"At least they have to cut about 20 trees to heat limestone to make lime plaster is only 1 square meter is used to build temples, reservoirs and monuments," Sever explained.
He and his team used computer simulations to reconstruct how the deforestation plays a role in worsening the drought. They isolated the effects of deforestation using proven computer climate models: the PSU / NCAR mesoscale atmospheric circulation model, which is also known as MM5 and the Community Climate System Model, or CCSM.


"We modeled the best and worst scenarios: first, 100 percent of deforestation in the Maya region, and second, no deforestation," says Sever. "The results are surprising. The loss of all the trees it can cause a temperature rise 3-5 degrees and rainfall is reduced 20-30 percent."
The results of this study does provide new information, but more research is needed to provide a full explanation of the mechanism of the Maya collapse. The archaeological record reveals that although some Mayan cities disappeared during the drought, some cities managed to survive. 

 

"We believe that the long drought brings different impacts in different areas." Griffin said. "We also believe that rising temperatures and reduced rainfall caused by deforestation is causing serious problems Maya cities."
The Maya deforestation by using the method of slash and burn agriculture, a method still used by them today.
 
"We know that every 1 to 3 years after planting a piece of land, should be allowed to stand for about 15 years to recover the mineral-mineral. At that time, trees and vegetation can grow back there while you slash and burn areas others for planting. "
However, what if you do not let the land long enough to replenish itself? And what would happen if we keep cutting down forests to meet the growing demands for food?
"We believe that's what happened," says Griffin. "The Maya are cut out most of their territory and by over-farming."
 
Drought not only bring trouble for agriculture, but the Mayans also had difficulty storing enough water to survive the dry season.
"The city tried to keep an 18-month supply of water in reservoirs," says Sever. "For example, in Tikal there are reservoirs that hold millions of gallons of water. But without sufficient rainfall, the reservoir became dry." Hunger and thirst strikes. And further into history.
 
"In some cities the Maya, mass graves were found containing groups of the skull with a piece of jade in his teeth, which are usually used only upper-class population of the Maya. This may indicate a mass murder of the aristocrats." Sever said again.
He believes that deforestation and drought that caused starvation may have other consequences such as civil wars and outbreaks of disease.
 
This revealed many facts derived from satellite imagery by the image. "By interpreting infrared satellite data, we identified hundreds of ancient cities and abandoned not previously known.
The Maya used lime plaster as a foundation for the development of their cities are full of beautiful temples, observatory and pyramids. For hundreds of years, the Cretaceous seep into the ground. The result, the vegetation around the ruins looks different in infrared imaging, even to this day. "
 
"Space technology has revolutionized archeology." Sever concluded. "We use it to investigate the tragedy of the past to prevent it from happening in the present."
Notes: Perhaps many of us who do not know that that is simply vanish from the Mayan empire and civilization that accompanies it, while the current descendants of the Maya are still widely spread in the territory of Mexico, Guetamala, Honduras and El Salvador with a population of about 7 million people.
 
Oh yes, the cause of the Maya collapse caused by deforestation is similar to the cause of the destruction of Easter Island civilization. So maybe you also want to read about Easter Island and the Moai.