Citation

Ravilious K. New Sci. 2004; 181(2429): 42-45.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, New Science Publications)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

An ominous explanation of the sudden collapse of the Maya civilization a thousand years ago is presented by using fractal pattern analysis. Scientists have speculated about famine, warfare, climate change, epidemics, invasion and mass suicide to explain the sudden collapse of the Maya civilization. Archaeologists find fractal patterns useful because they can help quantify settlement patterns as many of the Maya sites are hidden under dense layers of jungle undergrowth, making it difficult to gather data over larger areas. A survey of 1107 Maya settlement sites in Yucatan has shown fractal patterns in their distribution. Even the individual buildings within the Maya city of Mayapan have a fractal structure.