How Maya Elites Raised Then Ruined a Civilization - Drs. DeLay & Bendebury (DemystifySci +446)

This week we're bringing you along to the Yucatán where we investigate the rise and collapse of our nearest ancient civilization, the classic Mesoamerican Maya. We make the argument that each Maya city states ran on a deal between the people and their leaders, where the few promised defense, calendars, and above all - clean, fresh water in a land without rivers. Ultimately, each city didn't die so much as empty out, abandoned when their elite demanded payment without rendering said promised services. What emerges is a common failure mode, that points us toward scrutinizing the social contracts we observe in the modern world.PATREON https://www.patreon.com/c/demystifysciPARADOX LOST (Our Book): https://demystifysci.com/paradoxlostHOMEBREW MUSIC - Check out our new album!Hard Copies (Vinyl): FREE SHIPPING https://demystifysci-shop.fourthwall.com/products/vinyl-lp-secretary-of-nature-everything-is-so-good-hereStreaming:https://secretaryofnature.bandcamp.com/album/everything-is-so-good-herePARADIGM DRIFThttps://demystifysci.com/paradigm-drift-show00:00 Go! What does a civilization owe the people who build it?00:03:44 Why would anyone build cities in a place like this?00:10:50 How did a few people end up in charge of everyone?00:17:22 Why did the cities empty out at their peak?00:26:38 What knowledge did the elite actually hold?00:36:30 What was Chichen Itza built to do?00:42:22 Was the great ball court ever actually played?00:50:06 How much of what tourists hear is real?00:59:12 Who was pulling the strings between cities?01:10:08 What happens when the experts run out of answers?01:17:28 Did people still believe as the sacrifices grew?01:23:21 Who wins when priests and warriors collide?01:30:03 Did these cities grow, or were they planted?01:37:17 Was Chichen Itza founded or conquered?01:49:59 What did the collapse actually leave behind?01:58:44 Are we living out the same story now?02:10:16 Do today's elites still deserve their place? #maya #ancienthistory #archaeology #collapse MERCH: Rock some DemystifySci gear : https://demystifysci-shop.fourthwall.com/AMAZON: Do your shopping through this link: https://amzn.to/3YyoT98DONATE: https://bit.ly/3wkPqaDSUBSTACK: https://substack.com/@UCqV4_7i9h1_V7hY48eZZSLw@demystifysci RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/2be66934/podcast/rssMAILING LIST: https://bit.ly/3v3kz2S SOCIAL: - Discord: https://discord.gg/MJzKT8CQub- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DemystifySci- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DemystifySci/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DemystifySciMUSIC: -Shilo Delay: https://g.co/kgs/oty671