LONDON: With the passage of time researchers were giving different theories about the downfall of the 3000 years old Mayan civilization. But according to a new research the Mayans, the most superior civilization of their time missing due to severe drought.
Over the years historians were suggesting different reasons for the demise of the Mayans. Some were suggesting peasant unrest was the main reason behind their demise. But in 1995 some researchers were suggesting that the civilization may have been wiped out due to severe drought. But according to recent research conducted by Rice University, it has been confirmed that a century long drought might have been responsible for the demise of the Mayans.
According to the historians before its collapse, the Mayan civilization was one of the most advanced of its time with more than a million people living in their cities. But the sudden collapse of the civilization during 8th or 9th century was a mystery to the historians. In this new study the researchers have taken water samples from the famous blue hole lagoons of Belize and discovered that, a disastrous and extended drought which lasted for hundred years was responsible for the total disappearance of the civilization. To gather evidence Droxler and his colleagues for the university drilled holes in the sediment of the lagoon. About the findings they said, “During storms or wetter periods, excess water runs off from rivers and streams, overtops the retaining walls, and is deposited in a thin layer at the top of the lagoon. From there, all the sediments from these streams settle to the bottom of the lagoon, piling on top of each other and leaving a chronological record of the historical climate”. During the analysis of the chemical composition they put special focus on the ratio of the titanium to aluminum, to assume the length of the drought. The ratio suggested that there was less rainfall which caused the drought. The researchers are suggesting that due to drought farmers might had left the barren land, which caused economic and social problems. This may finally had lead to the demise of this great civilization.
Tesla driverless system to use updated radar technology
WASHINGTON: Electric carmaker Tesla announced Sunday it was upgrading its Autopilot software to use more advanced radar technology. In a...