Many theories have been put forward to account for the collapse of the Maya civilization approximately 1,000 years ago. Some hypothesized that continuously shifting political forces led to instability and ecological disruption. Through the analysis of skeletal material, this research proposes to test implications of the politico-ecological hypothesis. Chemical analysis of skeletal remains can yield information on dietary factors through the characterization of carbon and nitrogen isotopes. Dietary inadequacies and general state of health also marks the remains through the appearance of paleopathological indicators. Demographics can be estimated through the determination of age at death and sex from skeletal remains. The hypothesis makes specific predictions as to the diet,health and demography of the Maya just prior to the collapse. The research allows these predictions to be tested.
