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The Collapse of the Classic Maya Civilization
historyarchaeologycivilizations
普通
Reading
The Collapse of the Classic Maya Civilization
historyarchaeologycivilizations
普通
Paragraph 1
The collapse of the Classic Maya civilization in the southern lowlands of Mesoamerica between the 8th and 9th centuries C.E. is one of the most enduring mysteries in archaeology. During the Classic Period (c. 250–900 C.E.), the Maya developed a sophisticated culture with remarkable achievements in writing, mathematics, astronomy, and art. They built magnificent city-states, such as Tikal, Copán, and Palenque, which were dominated by monumental pyramids and palaces. Then, in a relatively short period, these bustling urban centers were abandoned, and the civilization entered a steep decline from which it never fully recovered in this region. Explaining this collapse is not a simple matter; archaeologists believe it was not a single event but a complex process precipitated by multiple, interconnected factors.
Paragraph 2
One of the most prominent theories centers on severe and prolonged drought. The Maya lowlands have a seasonally arid climate, with a distinct rainy season and a long dry season, making the inhabitants highly dependent on stored water and consistent rainfall for agriculture. Evidence from lake sediment cores and speleothems (cave formations) indicates that the period of the collapse coincided with several decades-long, intense droughts. Such a drastic reduction in rainfall would have led to widespread crop failure, famine, and a scarcity of drinking water. This environmental stress would have severely weakened the authority of the Maya kings, or ajaw, whose legitimacy was deeply intertwined with their perceived ability to mediate with the gods to ensure agricultural prosperity.
Paragraph 3
Endemic warfare is another factor frequently cited as a major contributor to the collapse. While conflict was a persistent feature of the Classic Maya period, evidence from the Late Classic period suggests that the nature of warfare intensified. Glyphic inscriptions and iconography from this era depict more frequent and destructive battles, the capture and sacrifice of rival elites, and the wholesale destruction of cities. This escalating violence would have disrupted trade routes, destroyed agricultural lands, and displaced large populations. It may have created a self-perpetuating cycle of violence and instability, as city-states fought over dwindling resources, which in turn further exacerbated resource scarcity.
Paragraph 4
Internal social and political factors also played a crucial role. The Maya political system was highly competitive and fragmented, consisting of numerous city-states vying for dominance. The ruling elite, focused on warfare and monumental construction to legitimize their power, may have placed an unsustainable burden on the commoner population, who provided the labor and agricultural surplus. This could have led to peasant revolts or a breakdown of the social contract, where commoners simply abandoned the cities and their rulers to seek a more sustainable life elsewhere. Furthermore, the Maya economic system, which relied on a narrow range of staple crops like maize, may have lacked the resilience to withstand the combined pressures of environmental disaster and political turmoil.
Paragraph 5
Ultimately, it is most likely that the Classic Maya collapse was a systemic failure, a 'perfect storm' where multiple crises converged. Environmental degradation from deforestation and soil exhaustion, caused by a growing population, may have worsened the effects of the natural droughts. Famine and disease, exacerbated by the environmental crisis, would have fueled social unrest and warfare. The inability of the rigid political and religious system, headed by the ajaw, to offer viable solutions to these mounting problems would have led to a loss of faith and the ultimate disintegration of the traditional social order. The people did not disappear; rather, the political and social structure that defined the Classic Period collapsed, forcing populations to disperse and adopt more decentralized forms of subsistence.
The word 'precipitated' in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to...
The word 'endemic' in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to...
According to paragraph 2, why would drought have weakened the authority of Maya kings?
What can be inferred from paragraph 4 about the Maya commoner population?
According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as a likely contributor to the Maya collapse?
In paragraph 5, why does the author use the phrase 'a perfect storm'?
What does the author imply about the Maya people after the collapse?
What evidence is mentioned in paragraph 2 to support the drought theory?
Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to paragraph 3. Where would the sentence best fit?
It appears to have shifted from ritualized, small-scale conflicts to more brutal, all-out warfare.
An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.
The collapse of the Classic Maya civilization was a complex process caused by the convergence of multiple factors rather than a single event.
Select 3 answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.
Paragraph 1
The collapse of the Classic Maya civilization in the southern lowlands of Mesoamerica between the 8th and 9th centuries C.E. is one of the most enduring mysteries in archaeology. During the Classic Period (c. 250–900 C.E.), the Maya developed a sophisticated culture with remarkable achievements in writing, mathematics, astronomy, and art. They built magnificent city-states, such as Tikal, Copán, and Palenque, which were dominated by monumental pyramids and palaces. Then, in a relatively short period, these bustling urban centers were abandoned, and the civilization entered a steep decline from which it never fully recovered in this region. Explaining this collapse is not a simple matter; archaeologists believe it was not a single event but a complex process precipitated by multiple, interconnected factors.
Paragraph 2
One of the most prominent theories centers on severe and prolonged drought. The Maya lowlands have a seasonally arid climate, with a distinct rainy season and a long dry season, making the inhabitants highly dependent on stored water and consistent rainfall for agriculture. Evidence from lake sediment cores and speleothems (cave formations) indicates that the period of the collapse coincided with several decades-long, intense droughts. Such a drastic reduction in rainfall would have led to widespread crop failure, famine, and a scarcity of drinking water. This environmental stress would have severely weakened the authority of the Maya kings, or ajaw, whose legitimacy was deeply intertwined with their perceived ability to mediate with the gods to ensure agricultural prosperity.
Paragraph 3
Endemic warfare is another factor frequently cited as a major contributor to the collapse. While conflict was a persistent feature of the Classic Maya period, evidence from the Late Classic period suggests that the nature of warfare intensified. Glyphic inscriptions and iconography from this era depict more frequent and destructive battles, the capture and sacrifice of rival elites, and the wholesale destruction of cities. This escalating violence would have disrupted trade routes, destroyed agricultural lands, and displaced large populations. It may have created a self-perpetuating cycle of violence and instability, as city-states fought over dwindling resources, which in turn further exacerbated resource scarcity.
Paragraph 4
Internal social and political factors also played a crucial role. The Maya political system was highly competitive and fragmented, consisting of numerous city-states vying for dominance. The ruling elite, focused on warfare and monumental construction to legitimize their power, may have placed an unsustainable burden on the commoner population, who provided the labor and agricultural surplus. This could have led to peasant revolts or a breakdown of the social contract, where commoners simply abandoned the cities and their rulers to seek a more sustainable life elsewhere. Furthermore, the Maya economic system, which relied on a narrow range of staple crops like maize, may have lacked the resilience to withstand the combined pressures of environmental disaster and political turmoil.
Paragraph 5
Ultimately, it is most likely that the Classic Maya collapse was a systemic failure, a 'perfect storm' where multiple crises converged. Environmental degradation from deforestation and soil exhaustion, caused by a growing population, may have worsened the effects of the natural droughts. Famine and disease, exacerbated by the environmental crisis, would have fueled social unrest and warfare. The inability of the rigid political and religious system, headed by the ajaw, to offer viable solutions to these mounting problems would have led to a loss of faith and the ultimate disintegration of the traditional social order. The people did not disappear; rather, the political and social structure that defined the Classic Period collapsed, forcing populations to disperse and adopt more decentralized forms of subsistence.
The word 'precipitated' in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to...
The word 'endemic' in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to...
According to paragraph 2, why would drought have weakened the authority of Maya kings?
What can be inferred from paragraph 4 about the Maya commoner population?
According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as a likely contributor to the Maya collapse?
In paragraph 5, why does the author use the phrase 'a perfect storm'?
What does the author imply about the Maya people after the collapse?
What evidence is mentioned in paragraph 2 to support the drought theory?
Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to paragraph 3. Where would the sentence best fit?
It appears to have shifted from ritualized, small-scale conflicts to more brutal, all-out warfare.
An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.
The collapse of the Classic Maya civilization was a complex process caused by the convergence of multiple factors rather than a single event.
Select 3 answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.