Why did the Mayans leave Palancau?

Question

The Mayans left Palancau for some reason, and to many it remains a great mystery een today? What happened and where did they go?

Answer 1

They predicted famine

Answer 2

There was a wonderful documentary on the History Channel a few days ago concerning that. It is, however, still a mystery as to why this great ancient metropolis was abandoned. We can only speculate.

Maybe Mel Gibson's upcoming movie "Apocalypto" will offer some hints.

Answer 3

The largest group of modern Maya is in the Yucatán region of Mexico. They commonly identify themselves simply as "Maya" with no tribe (unlike in the Highlands of Western Guatemala), and speak the language which anthropologists term "Yucatec Maya", but is identified by speakers and Yucatecos simply as "Maya". The Spanish language is commonly spoken as well. Especially in the western areas, even those of mostly or all Maya descent who speak Maya at home often identify themselves as "Mestizo", showing a degree of assimilation and identification with the Mexican mainstream culture.

The Yucatán's Mestizo population began after two shipwrecked Spanish sailors came ashore in 1511. One of the sailors, Gonzalo Guerrero, started a family with a Maya woman. Later relations between the Spanish and the Maya were less cordial. Conflicts with the Spanish and vulnerability to their diseases reduced the Yucatec Maya population to less than 10,000 by 1850. Those in the jungles of Quintana Roo to the east were more cut off from the Spanish, enabling them to survive more easily. Historically, the population in the eastern half of the peninsula was less affected by and less integrated with Hispanic culture than those of the western half.

A large 19th century revolt by the Yucatec Maya, known as the Caste War of Yucatán, was one of the most successful modern Native American revolts; results included the temporary existence of the Maya state of Chan Santa Cruz, recognized as an independent nation by the British Empire.

Answer 4

I saw a documentary about that. If I remember correctly, the conclusion certain archeologists came to was that the weather changed and was no longer good for growing crops.

Answer 5

Combination of environmental factors making it difficult to produce enough food, and economic pressures from other citystates.

Answer 6

good question