What may have contributed to migration from Maya lowland cities after their decline?

The decline of Classic Maya lowland cities, which began around 790 CE and resulted in the abandonment of the Central Subregion by the 10th century, is attributed to a complex combination of factors rather than a single cause. Scholars suggest that migration out of these areas was likely driven by the following interrelated processes:1

• Ecological and Environmental Stress: Population growth and the overintensification of land use likely led to severe ecological abuse, including deforestation and the deterioration of the natural environment.213
• Sociopolitical Instability: The region faced significant internal pressures, including civil war, social structural stresses, and the breakdown of critical trade networks. While massive foreign invasions are generally discounted as the primary cause, there is evidence of piecemeal incursions and intervention from central Mexico that sapped the region's vitality.231
• Natural Disasters: Various natural phenomena, such as earthquakes, famines, epidemics, and hurricanes, have been proposed as contributing factors to the collapse.2

As these cities declined, many inhabitants migrated to more stable areas, such as the flourishing ceremonial centers of the Northern Subregion or the highlands of Chiapas and Guatemala.1