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Middle AgesGovernment & Law

Classic Maya collapse

c. 900 CEMajorContested

Many great Maya cities in the southern lowlands are abandoned.

Contested history

Consensus: Maya cities in the southern lowlands were largely abandoned between about 800 and 950, though Maya people and cities elsewhere continued.

Severe droughtsEstablished
Lake sediments and cave records show major droughts.
Warfare, overpopulation and deforestationEstablished
Likely worked together with drought.
The Maya 'disappeared'Debunked
Millions of Maya people live in Mexico and Central America today.

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