An international team of researchers has linked the fate of ancient Mesoamerican civilisations to climate change.

The team used stalagmites to detect 2,400 years of rainfall in Southern Mexico.

Above average rainfall between the first and third centuries coincided with the rise of the early Mesoamerican city of Teotihuacan, which, at its peak, had more than 125,000 people living amongst its pyramids.

However, a 500 year drying trend, including a massive 150 years of drought, unsurprisingly saw a rapid decline in the population around 550 AD.

The research was led by Matthew Lachniet from UNLV (University of Nevada) who said: "Mexico and the American southwest are linked by climate processes in the Pacific Ocean.

"Our new record shows that dry conditions, likely linked to El Nino processes, recurred frequently over time. The point to be made is that civilisation runs on water. Take away a water supply and the civilisation may fail."

Lachniet went on to say: "We can’t say with certainty that other social factors were drivers of the cultural change, but we now have well-dated and robust climate information to compare. Climate change was the norm for the region dating back thousands of years, and similar variations are to be expected for the future."

So, let’s not go the way of the ancient Mesoamericans. We may not be facing a 150 year drought, but it’s never too late to use our water wisely.

The Mesoamericans didn’t have BigGreenSmile, where they could buy their tap aerators or waterless car wash... Hmmm, cars; I can feel a losing argument coming my way. On the plus side, we don’t practice human sacrifice anymore.

[Image: Laura Rush]