A groundbreaking genetic study published in Current Biology reveals that the Maya civilization didn’t mysteriously vanish around 1,200 years ago, as once thought. By analyzing ancient genomes from Copán in western Honduras, researchers discovered strong genetic continuity from the Late Archaic era to modern Maya groups. This evidence challenges the idea of collapse and instead points to a large-scale social reorganization. The Maya people adapted to environmental and political upheaval, preserving their identity and culture through centuries of transformation and migration.
