The decline of the Olmec civilization, marked by a sharp population decrease between 400 and 350 BCE, is primarily attributed by archaeologists to significant environmental changes.
Environmental Collapse: A Leading Theory
The most widely accepted theory for the Olmec decline points to ecological shifts that severely impacted their way of life and agricultural capacity.
Key Factors in the Olmec Decline:
- River Silting: A major contributing factor was the silting-up of rivers. This natural process involved the accumulation of sediment, mud, and other debris in riverbeds.
- Water Supply Disruption: The silting-up of rivers effectively choked off the vital water supply to Olmec settlements and agricultural lands. Access to clean water was essential not only for drinking but also for irrigation, which was crucial for sustaining their population and food production.
- Agricultural Impact: Without a consistent and clean water supply, the Olmec's ability to cultivate crops and manage their agricultural systems would have been severely compromised, leading to food shortages and increased stress on the population.
This environmental degradation likely triggered a cascade of events, including resource scarcity, potential migrations, and a decrease in societal stability, ultimately leading to the sharp decline observed in their population centers.