why did the mayans civilization collapse
Trade, particularly for prestige items like obsidian and jade, flourished. The Maya were well on their way to becoming a powerful empire when suddenly the civilization collapsed and the mighty cities were abandoned. The Collapse of Maya Civilization: The fall of the Maya is one of historyâs great mysteries. One of the mightiest civilizations in the ancient Americas simply fell into ruin in a very short time. Mighty cities like Tikal were abandoned and Maya stonemasons stopped making temples and stelae.