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when archaeologists explored the collapse of the maya city of copan from an environmental perspective, they found

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Final answer:

Archaeological studies of Copán have suggested that environmental degradation due to deforestation and soil erosion, along with social unrest and other factors, contributed to the city's decline around 900 CE.

Step-by-step explanation:

When archaeologists explored the collapse of the Maya city of Copán from an environmental perspective, they discovered evidence that points to environmental problems exacerbated by demographic growth. This growth led to extensive deforestation, resulting in soil erosion and making the civilization vulnerable to climate variation and crop diseases. The combination of these environmental stresses alongside political, social, and economic factors likely contributed to the disorder, warfare, and potential internal conflicts that precipitated the decline of Copán and the Mayan civilization's Classical Period around 900 CE. Despite this decline, the Maya civilization persisted in other forms up to and beyond the arrival of the Spanish.

User Thomasd
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Final answer:

The collapse of the Maya city of Copan was influenced by factors such as environmental degradation, population growth, and lack of planning in city expansion.

Step-by-step explanation:

When archaeologists explored the collapse of the Maya city of Copan from an environmental perspective, they found several factors that contributed to the decline. One important factor was environmental degradation caused by large-scale deforestation, leading to soil erosion.

The Maya civilization's reliance on high agricultural yields made them vulnerable to variations in climate and crop disease, which put pressure on both the elites and commoners and contributed to disorder and war.

Additionally, demographic growth and the need for more agricultural land led to the expansion of Maya cities without a proper plan, resulting in a lack of adequate resources to sustain the growing population.

User Cory Kilger
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