▶ Your Answer :
The reading
passage contends there are several possible theories that explain why the Maya
society collapsed. On the other hand, the lecturer brings several points that
contradict this argument.
First of all, the lecturer questions the
validity of the point in the reading passage that a breakdown of Maya Society was
led by social turmoil in the form of a peasant revolt. It is attributed to the
fact that there is no record that indicates a violent uprising against
religious and political authorities, even though the Maya had their own writing
system. Additionally, because each of Maya cities had local government and
ruler at that time, it would have influenced other region if there was revolt.
As a consequence, the reading passage’s first point is contradicted.
Moreover, the lecturer casts doubt on the
point made in the reading passage that a sudden change to the trade routes of
the region resulted in the breakdown of Maya cities. The economic significance
of Teotihuacan was quite low in 12th century, because they acted as a trade hub
in the 6th century. Hence, the economies of the Maya were not
dependent on Teotihuacan. As a result, the reading passage’s second point is
invalid.
Last
but not least, the lecturer disagrees with the point made by the reading passage
that the Maya collapsed because of an epidemic. It is obvious that diseases yellow
fever and malaria were from Central America in the 16th century. This
means that the Maya’s destruction was not influenced by the epidemic because
they collapsed in the 6th century. In addition, there was no evidence
that the Mayan died quickly. Consequently, with such reasoning, the reading
passage’s final point is refuted. |