Quake triggered collapse of an ancient Peru society, scientists say
Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 22:42
in Paleontology & Archaeology
An earthquake 3,800 years ago, followed by heavy rains, led to a chain of events that wiped out rich fishing grounds and farmland that sustained the people of the Supe Valley, north of Lima. Archaeologists generally argue that the Maya civilization and others in South and Central America perished as a result of intense warfare or prodigal consumption of resources.