An international team of scientists has concluded that Mayapan, the cultural and political capital of the Mayan civilization, collapsed due to a prolonged drought.. It led to civil conflict, which, in turn, caused political collapse, according to Science Alert..

People who lived in the city were forced to move to smaller and safer settlements.

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The publication emphasizes that the study not only gives us an idea about the history of this ancient people. It can also show us how climate change affects even the most stable and developed communities..

“Multiple data sources indicate that civil conflicts worsened, and generalized linear modeling links the unrest in the city to a drought between 1400 and 1450 AD. We believe the prolonged drought exacerbated tensions between rival factions, but subsequent adaptations show resilience across the region, ensuring that Maya political and economic structures survived until European contact in the early 16th century AD..

Scientists studied data on changes in the composition of the population, climate changes and the diet of the ancient Maya, which were obtained in the course of previous studies.. They also added a new analysis of the remains of people for signs of trauma that would indicate an armed conflict..

Scientists have found a correlation between increased rainfall and population in the region, as well as decreased rainfall and increased conflict.. According to researchers, a prolonged drought in 1400-1450 led to the fact that the inhabitants left Mayapan.

Scientists believe that water shortages have affected farming practices and trade routes, putting additional stress on the city's residents.. As food became scarcer and the situation became more dangerous, more and more residents died or moved to other settlements..

The researchers noted that in the last mass grave dug before the city was finally abandoned, most of the remains belonged to members of the Kokom family (heads of state). They died as a result of rivalry with other groups and general social tensions..

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Earlier, scientists from the University of Cincinnati found out why the inhabitants left the ancient Mayan city of Tikal. According to them, the location of the city was not very good in terms of water supply, so its inhabitants relied only on rainwater..