Drought and the Maya: Tree Rings Reveal a Civilization's End

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Drought and the Maya: Tree Rings Reveal a Civilization's End

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For decades, the collapse of Classic Maya civilization has been blamed on drought. But the evidence was always indirect—until now. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore groundbreaking research from the Yucatán Peninsula that uses fossilized tree rings to reconstruct rainfall patterns from 800 to 1000 CE. They discuss how these ancient trees, preserved in cenotes and swamps, provide a year-by-year record of drought severity that aligns with the abandonment of cities like Tikal and Calakmul. Lucas explains the science behind tree-ring chronologies and the controversy over whether drought alone could topple a civilization. He recounts the work of scientists like David Stahle and the team from the University of Arkansas, who painstakingly matched ring sequences to create a 1,200-year climate record. The conversation also touches on the role of deforestation, warfare, and political fragmentation, and how the Maya themselves may have exacerbated the crisis. A must-listen for anyone fascinated by the intersection of climate science and archaeology. #MayaCollapse #Drought #TreeRings #Paleoclimatology #Yucatan #TerminalClassic #Tikal #Calakmul #DavidStahle #Cenotes #Deforestation #ClimateChange #Archaeology #Mesoamerica #FexingoHistory #History #Science #AncientCivilizations Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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