Approximately 2,400 years ago, the tribes of Maya suddenly appeared in the rainforests of the Yucatan Peninsula, Central America.
As highly-skilled builders, the Mayan tribes prospered, quickly building cities using stone tools, wooden tools, and tools made from shells. These cities, with temples, pyramids, walls, homes, and palaces, were all connected by roads throughout the rainforest.
However, the tribes did not flourish as one, and were constantly at war with each other to acquire victims for human sacrifice to the gods. By 900 CE, the cities of Maya were desolate and derelict.
A true history mystery – where did the Mayans come from, and where did they go?
Check out this video from Jim Festante of Slate to find out more about the Mayans and their doomed fate.
Image Credit: Robert McGoldrick on Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)
3
