Maya Civilisation

In Context  

• The Maya civilization may have had access to nearly 500 edible plants, many of which were highly resistant to drought as per the new study.

Maya civilization 

• About:
  • The Maya civilization originated in the Yucatan Peninsula. 
    • The Yucatán Peninsula is a northeastern projection of Central America, lying between the Gulf of Mexico to the west and north and the Caribbean Sea to the east.
  • It flourished between 600 and 800 AD.
• Features:
  • Known for its monumental architecture and an advanced understanding of mathematics and astronomy.
  • They also developed a system of hieroglyphic writing and highly sophisticated calendrical and astronomical systems.
  • They practised mainly slash-and-burn agriculture, but they used advanced techniques of irrigation and terracing.
  • As early as 1500 BCE the Maya had settled in villages and had developed an agriculture based on the cultivation of corn (maize), beans, and squash; by 600 CE cassava (sweet manioc) was also grown.
  • They built great stone buildings and pyramid temples and worked with gold and copper.
  • They began to build ceremonial centres, and by 200 CE these had developed into cities containing temples, pyramids, palaces, courts for playing ball, and plazas.

• Collapse 
  • The 800 and 950 AD period is called the collapse of the Classic Maya civilisations.
• Reasons for collapse:
  • Past evidence: The Maya people faced starvation because of their dependence on drought-sensitive crops such as corn, beans and squash.
  • Recent study:  It examined the drought tolerance of the 497 indigenous food plants of the Maya lowlands under three different scenarios: Short-duration, medium-duration and extreme drought.
    • These plants have also been identified through paleoethnobotany, a branch of science dealing with behavioural and ecological interactions between past humans and plants.

• Researchers found that Under extreme drought conditions, stems such as hearts of palm and cactus pads would remain available for multiple year’s.
  • The Maya people could have turned to chaya and cassava to meet their carbohydrates and protein needs
    • Chaya, a shrub whose leaves are high in protein, iron, potassium and calcium, could have also been available.

• They believe that social and economic upheaval likely played a role. 
• Climate change is already hampering food security. 
  • For instance, studies suggest it has negatively affected the yield of maize and wheat in low-latitude areas.

Source: DTE