Climate changes destroyed Ancient Civilizations, are we safe?

INTRODUCTION

The other night I was wondering, about the hue and cry surrounding climate change, whether this phenomenon is a recent concern area or it existed before? My late-night researches started showing results, and a sense of Dejavu engulfed me. It is like history is repeating itself. Humans, right from the stone age in ways unknown started playing with the environment.

We always believed these fast-paced modern-day developments are killing the planet. But when homosapiens started spreading around the earth, they started changing the ecological system. The biggest example is Australia, Homosapiens traveled to that continent 40,000 years ago. Within a span of a few decades, many species present on the continent went instinct.

Thus it is important while traveling, apart from appreciating the culture and beauty of a place, we should also pay attention to the history of the place. It will not only introduce us to a few startling facts but will reveal the interlinking of the past with the present.

My visit to Angkor Wat in Cambodia was one such experience. I was blown away by the beauty and the architecture of the biggest Hindu temple, totally unaware of the fact, these ruins were pointing out fingers, to a ticking time bomb. In the room of a Cambodian hotel, while doing further probing, I stumbled upon something eerie. These ruins are the standing testament, how climate change destroyed one of the most powerful kingdoms of South East Asia?

Next time when you decide to travel make your travel plans around these places. It will be fun to see them in person. I am going to showcase the hand of climate change, behind the devastation of a few of the oldest ancient civilizations.

1)INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION

No doubt it was the world’s earliest urban civilization, it was spread in India, Pakistan, recently sites have been found in Afganistan too. It is believed at its peak, it contained almost 10% of the world’s population. Like many other civilizations that were centered around a river, this civilization was also settled around the river Indus. It can also be called the ancient Indian civilization.

But around 4000 years ago the climate change played havoc with this civilization. The solar energy received by the sun plays an important role in impacting the monsoons. According to the scientific data, the northern hemisphere had the highest insulation but gradually it decreased, leading to a decrease in monsoon. Due to delayed monsoons, the monsoon fed rivers dried up, which resulted in the migration of a huge number of the population towards the east. Also, the floods weakened the cities like Mohen JoDaro.

If you are a history buff then a visit to the Indus Valley site is a must. Some of the prominent sites located in India are Lothal, Kalibanga, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, Alamgirpur. These are spread across the major Indian states.

2)MAYAN CIVILISATION

Mayan Civilisation, which was spread out in Southern Mexico, Guatemala, and Northern Belize, was one of the powerful ancient civilizations. They were believed to have achieved great heights in the field of agriculture, astronomy, architecture. We all had heard about the Mayan calendar and its doomsday prediction.

According to the scientific data, as early as 1500 BCE they were settled in villages and formed an agriculture driven society.

But due to population overload, environmental changes probably a long period of drought, wars, and overuse of land, resulted in the decline of this great empire. It’s like a Deja Vu moment, in the current situation, in countries like Syria, Somalia the conditions are pretty similar. The ecological impact can be clearly seen in these countries.

If you want to be a part of the bygone civilization then book your tickets to Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Yucatan Peninsula. They still contain hundreds of Mayan ruins.

3)THE KHMER EMPIRE – ANCIENT CAMBODIA

We all have heard about Angkor Wat, which contains the biggest Hindu temple, but only a few would know climate played a major role in the destruction of the kingdom.

It was very well said by one of my Cambodian friends, Angkor Wat temple emerged out of the grand forest and finally was taken back by the majestic forest.

The empire was established in the ninth century, it was famous for its wealth, opulence, architecture, and it had the most sophisticated network of canals.

But by the 15th century due to the insane cutting of the forest to set up the new kingdom, soil erosion, heavy drought, water crisis, ecological overexploitation, all led to the demise of the empire. These were a few of the primary causes behind climate change.

To witness the opulence of this kingdom, travel to Cambodia. We will not only get a glimpse of the bygone era, but also the technological advancement which was an integral part of this kingdom. Since it is located in the forest wear sneakers, carry mosquito repellants, and carry a good supply of food and water.

4)THE TANG DYNASTY (ANCIENT CHINESE CIVILIZATION)

This dynasty was located in China, and it also witnessed a collapse like situation, at the same time as Mayans. It is a well-known fact The Tang Dynasty ushered China into the golden era of art and literature, though it started weakening in the eighth century and by 907 AD it was finished. One thing common which was found behind the decline of the Tang Dynasty and Mayan Civilization was the migration in the tropical rain belt.

The ruins of The Tang Dynasty Daming palace is still present in Xi’an China, asking us to respect the climate and save it when things are still in our hand.

5) ANCIENT EGYPT CIVILIZATION

Everyone knows about Egypt and its grandeur, right from Pyramid to Sphinx. The ancient Egypt kingdom existed 4200 years ago, the irony is both the Akkadian empire in Syria and ancient Egyptian civilization shared similar reasons behind there collapse.

A drought shrank the Nile river, without flood water, agriculture got affected which resulted in reduced tax income and less money to finance the Pharaoh’s government, all this lead to the collapse of the great civilization.

Once you are in Egypt do visit The Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza Necropolis, Egyptian Geology Museum in order to get a glimpse into the ancient culture.

Don’t think that these are the only civilizations, which were affected by climate change. These are only a few of the handpicked ones, there are many more in the queue.

NEED OF THE HOUR

We all have a responsibility towards saving the environment, melting glaciers, changing Humboldt current on the coast of Peru, rising sea levels, all are ringing alarm bells. It seems the Paris agreement is not a sufficient answer to climate issues. Something more drastic needs to be done and which needs to be honored by all the countries across the globe. Living in denial or suggesting climate change as a hoax will not help anyone.