^JV/ Just like the rings of a tree, layers of sediment can tell us about what was going on when they formed. They can signify all kinds of climate and geologic changes, including drought. This is done by examining the sediment for certain ratios of minerals. In the case of the Blue Hole and the Maya, geologists were on the lookout for titanium. Titanium is found in the easily-eroded volcanic stone of Central America and southern Mexico. Heavy rains would cause the stone to break down and eventually wash into the ocean, collecting in holes like the Blue Hole. Between 800 and 1100 C.E., there were major droughts, as evidenced by the lack of titanium in the sediment layers. These were also the centuries that marked the decline and eventual collapse of the Maya civilization. Due to this evidence, historians are finally beginning to agree that it was, in fact, drought that led to the demise of the Maya civilization and the abandonment of its cities. Drought would have led to other issues, including famine and civil unrest. The decline of the Maya was slow and gradual, but always stumped historians. Now, thanks to the testimony of the Earth itself, we know what happened to the ancient Maya. ow.ly/GBCi3
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 18:30:28 +0000
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