California's Reign as State with Highest Gas Prices Comes to an End

 After thousands of years, scientists have finally discovered the reason why the Mayans vanished

After extensive speculation and numerous outlandish conspiracy theories, scientists believe they have finally unraveled the mysteries surrounding the abrupt disappearance of the complex Mayan civilization, which thrived for millennia.

The enigmatic vanishing of a population of 19 million had long puzzled scholars as one of the ancient world's most captivating enigmas. Although Mayan descendants can still be found in various regions of Central America, the Mayans abandoned the cities that constituted their sophisticated civilization during the 8th or 9th centuries. Over the span of a hundred years, the urbanized lowlands of the Yucatan peninsula, including renowned sites like Tikal, transformed from bustling metropolises into haunting ruins, leaving the world perplexed about the true cause.

From educated speculations of war and pandemics to beliefs in alien invasions or supernatural forces, numerous hypotheses were proposed. However, a disconcerting answer has now emerged, supported by scientific research.

In his 2005 book Collapse, Jared Diamond, an American geographer, historian, ornithologist, and popular science author, put forth the theory that a prolonged drought, exacerbated by deforestation, acted as the final blow that brought this remarkable civilization to its knees.

To scrutinize this hypothesis, experts examined archaeological evidence and environmental data. The results, confirmed in 2012, revealed that the collapse of an entire culture could be attributed to a self-inflicted environmental catastrophe.

One study found that excessive deforestation, primarily driven by the need for farming and fuel to produce lime plaster for their awe-inspiring structures (an astonishing 20 trees were required to yield just one square meter of a cityscape), significantly diminished the land's ability to absorb solar radiation. Consequently, less water evaporated, leading to reduced cloud formation and a 5-15 percent decline in rainfall over the course of a century.

Researchers from Columbia University conducted a study utilizing population records of the cities and measurements of cleared land to simulate the impact of these factors, which resulted in drought, failed crops, diminished trade, and ultimately, the Mayans being compelled to abandon their lowland homes in search of sustenance.

Ironically, the sophisticated Mayans possessed a profound understanding of their environment and were well aware of the consequences of their actions. B.L. Turner, the lead author of one of the studies, suggests that they knowingly continued deforestation despite their knowledge, ultimately leading to the downfall of their society. This echoes a familiar theme in our current world.

Robert Oglesby, a climate modeler at the University of Nebraska involved in the second study, warns that our own manipulation of the environment can often yield unintended consequences. The ongoing deforestation in Guatemala, which was once the Mayans' homeland, serves as a poignant example.

The unsettling truth is that, similar to the Mayans, we may only realize the repercussions of our actions when it is too late to salvage our future.