Why the Maya Bled for Rain

Ancient Maya ritual practices in caves were centrally focused on water control and agricultural fertility, involving offerings and human sacrifices intended to appease deities such as the rain god Chac,. During a severe Late Classic drought cycle, specialized "drought cults" developed, characterized by the deposition of large ceramic vessels and remains in remote, restricted subterranean locations,,. Scientific evidence from speleothems and archaeological records indicates that these prolonged environmental stressors were a major factor in the destabilization and eventual abandonment of southern lowland city-states