Collapse · c. 750–950 CE

The Classic Maya collapse

Tikal, Petén (Guatemala)

In the 8th and 9th centuries the great Maya city-states of the southern lowlands broke down: dated monuments fell from about 40 a year around 750 to none by 900, and monumental building in the central area stopped after 830. Tikal, which may once have held tens of thousands of people, raised its last monument in 869 and was largely deserted by the end of the 10th century.

Drought is now the leading explanation among more than 80 theories, alongside warfare, environmental damage and the collapse of trade routes.

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