[SuziQ]

We saw a TV show recently somewhat related to this subject, but mainly about the deaths of millions of natives after the arrival of the Spanish and Portuguese in Central America in the 1500's. History books, especially those written by the folks who like to bash Dead White European Males, have long blamed those folks for bringing diseases against which the natives had no immunities.

Recent research has shown that it was in fact a native disease that caused those deaths, and that it was brought on by climate change. And no, that change wasn't brought on by CO2 pumped into the air by the evil SUV's of the Europeans. It was a natural change, and after many years of drought, there was rainfall which increased the rodent population, which brought the disease to the natives.

So maybe it was NATURAL climate change, that brought about the destruction of the Mayan civilization, especially if they were not ready for it, and didn't have the knowledge to deal with the consequences of it.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks! There’s also a topic or three on FR regarding the evidence of natural climate cycles from Precolumbian contexts.

[blam]

Historical Review: Megadrought And Megadeath In 16th Century Mexico (Hemorrhagic Fever)