Sydney University Scientists (Australia) revealed a connection between the fall of the ancient cities of the Khmer Empire and Mesoamer in the 900-1500 years of our era and climate change. This is reported in the article published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The decline of Khmer cities in the mainland of Southeast Asia (including Angkor) and the Mayan cities in Mesoamer coincided with the periods of strong climate variability. While the ceremonial and administrative city centers of many cities were abandoned, surrounding communities survived, perhaps due to long-term investments in sustainable agricultural landscapes.
Ancient people created agricultural fields, which acted as massive receivers of water, sediments and nutrients. Long-term investments in soil fertility, as well as the collection and storage of water resources have become a way to survive for some communities that have existed for a long time after the city turned out to be abandoned. For example, in the ancient city of Angkor, located on the territory of modern Cambodia, the city center turned out to be abandoned for several decades, but the surrounding landscapes may have been preserved during the episodes of climatic stress.
The results are emphasized that long-term and large-scale investments in the stability of the landscape, such as improved water retention, increase soil fertility and preservation of biodiversity, can help urban and rural communities to transfer periods of climatic stress.