End of Mayan Civilization

What happened to the civilization of the ancient Maya?

The truth is, no one knows for sure. It is a mystery, but there are some theories about what may have caused Mayan civilization to collapse.

One theory is that the Maya were conquered or seriously reduced in power by another tribe in Central America. Another is that a natural disaster such as a hurricane, earthquake, or plague caused the decline of the Mayas. Perhaps the most plausible explanation has to do with what made it possible for Mayan civilization to begin in the first place – food.

The Maya were able to build a civilization of great cities, laws, writing, and math and science because they were able to produce a surplus of food. If food is no longer available in surplus, the civilization cannot survive.

Several things could have caused the system of food production to collapse. One, the Mayan farmers may have revolted. If the large labor force required to produce food for the entire civilization leaves the farms, that is all she wrote.

Two, the cities may have outgrown the ability of farmers to produce surplus food given the farming technologies of the day. The Mayas used slash and burn agriculture, and this tends to deplete soil fairly quickly.

Three, a particularly long drought or series of droughts could have made it impossible to grow enough food to support the Mayan cities. This theory, at least with regard to the collapse of the cities in the Yucatan, was examined in a recent National Geographic program – “Quest for the Lost Maya .” The episode examines new findings in the northern area of the Maya and what they suggest about the civilization’s demise, among other interesting insights and conclusions.

Whatever happened to Mayan civilization, its collapse is just another reminder that all civilizations eventually come to an end.

Aztec Economy and Trade

If you could travel back in time and wander through an Aztec marketplace in a large city such as Tenochtitlan, you would witness a well developed economy and system of trade.

The Aztecs traded anything and everything. If you wanted food, you could buy rabbits, birds, dogs, fish, turkeys, and other proteins. Or, if you were in the mood for produce, you could purchase chili peppers, maize (corn), or tomatoes. Don't forget to buy some salt to bring the flavor out. If you did not want to prepare food yourself, you could purchase ready-made dishes like cornbread, pies, and drinks.

Aztec Education and Schools

You might think that boy / girl stereotypes are something born in modern times. Not so. The idea that boys should grow up strong and learn to fight is an ancient one. So too is the notion that girls should learn to sew, clean, cook, and take care of the household. In fact, the Aztecs taught these ideas early and often to their children, and it continued when Aztec boys and girls went off to school for a more formal education.