Which of the following could be used as evidence for a hypothesis supporting the internal decline of the Mayas(1point)
A volcanic eruption destroyed Mayan civilization
Figurines of non-Mayan figures were found.
The Toltec were aggressive neighbors to the Maya.
The region where the Maya lived suffered from two megadroughts
To support a hypothesis regarding the internal decline of the Mayas, the most relevant piece of evidence from the options provided would be:
D. The region where the Maya lived suffered from two megadroughts.
Rationale:
Evidence of environmental stress, such as megadroughts, could suggest that internal pressures such as agricultural failures, resource shortages, and potential social unrest contributed to the decline of the Maya civilization. Climate changes are known to have strong impacts on agrarian societies, and the Maya were heavily reliant on agriculture. Droughts would have directly affected their ability to sustain their populations and cities.
For completeness, here's why the other options are less suitable:
A. A volcanic eruption destroyed Mayan civilization - This suggests an external catastrophic event rather than internal decline. If the hypothesis is specifically about internal decline, an external disaster wouldn't be the best evidence to support that claim.
B. Figurines of non-Mayan figures were found - This could indicate external influence or trade, but does not necessarily point to internal decline. It might even suggest cultural exchange or external relationships, which does not inherently signal decline.
C. The Toltec were aggressive neighbors to the Maya - While aggressive neighbors could have an impact on the Maya, this also points to external factors; it's more about the relationship with other cultures than the internal workings of the Maya civilization itself. This might be more relevant to a hypothesis about external pressures leading to decline.
Therefore, the megadroughts (Option D) offer direct evidence that could support a hypothesis about the role of internal environmental and resource challenges in the decline of the Maya civilization.