29 May , 23:34
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Secrets of ancient Copan: skeletons reveal the mysteries of Maya civilization's downfall
This is reported by The Independent.
The majestic Copan, now recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, flourished during the classic Maya era from the 3rd to 10th century CE. Researchers have established that for four centuries, this city served as a key cultural and trade hub connecting lower Central America with South America.
In a new study published in the journal Current Biology, scientists reveal that Copan's royal dynasty was founded in 426 or 427 CE and ruled for about 400 years. For a long time, archaeologists focused primarily on studying royal tombs, where rulers were presumably buried alongside sacrificial animals. However, the origins of ordinary residents of the ancient city remained an unsolved mystery.
A breakthrough genetic study has for the first time allowed researchers to lift the veil of mystery over the origins of Copan's population. The obtained data indicates a dramatic reduction in the number of inhabitants approximately 1200 years ago, which may point to a large-scale crisis that engulfed the once-thriving city.
During their scientific work, researchers decoded the DNA of seven individuals whose remains were discovered in Copan, including one representative presumably belonging to the ruling elite. For a complete picture, scientists also incorporated genetic data from previous studies of ancient Maya settlements across the American continent.
