Throughout our history, most civilizations have either met a slow
demise or were wiped out by natural disasters or invasion. But there are
a few societies whose disappearance has scholars truly stumped:

10. The Olmec

One of the first Mesoamerican societies, the Olmec inhabited the tropical lowlands of south-central Mexico . The first signs of the Olmec are around 1400 BC in the city of San Lorenzo, the main Olmec settlement which was supported by two other centers, Tenochtitlan and Potrero
Nuevo. The Olmec were master builders with each of the major sites
containing ceremonial courts, house mounds, large conical pyramids and
stone monuments including the colossal head that they are most known
for. The Olmec civilization relied heavily on trade , both between different Olmec regions and with other Mesoamerican
societies. Because they were one of the earliest and most advanced
Mesoamerican cultures at the time, they are oftenconsideredthe mother
culture of many other Mesoamerican cultures.
Where did they go?
Around
400 BC the eastern half of the Olmec’s lands was depopulated- possibly
due to environmental changes. They may have also relocated after
volcanic activity in the area. Another popular theory is that they were
invaded, but no one knows whom the invaders might be.

9. The Nabateans

The
Nabateans were a Semitic culture that inhabited parts of Jordan, Canaan
and Arabia from around the sixth century BC. They are most widely known
as the builders of the city of Petra, which served as their capital.
Petra is an impressive city carved out of the cliff side with the crown jewel being the Khazneh, or
Treasury, a giant Greek inspired building. The Nabateans’ wealth was
gained by being a major stop on a complex trading network, through which
they traded ivory, silk, spices, precious metals , gems, incense, sugar perfume and medicine. Because of the extent of
the trade route, the Nabatean culture was highly influenced by
Hellenistic Greece, Rome, Arabia and Assyria. Unlike other societies of
their time, there was no slavery and every member of society contributed
in the work duties.
Where did they go?
During
the fourth century AD, the Nabateans abandoned Petra and no one really
knows why. Archeological evidence proves that their exodus was an
organized one that was unrushed, which leads us to believe that they
were not driven out of Petra by another culture. The most likely explanation is that when the trade routes they relied on moved north they could no longer sustain their civilization and left Petra behind.

8. The Aksumite Empire

The
Aksumite Empire began in the first century AD in what is now Ethiopia
and is believed to be the home of the Queen of Sheba. Aksum was a major
trade center with exports of ivory, agricultural resources and gold
being traded throughout the Red Sea trade network and onward to the
Roman Empire and east towards India. Because of this, Aksum was a very
wealthy society and was the first African culture to issue its own
coinage, which in ancient times was a sign of great importance. The most
recognizable monuments of Aksum are the stelae, giant carved obelisks
that acted as the grave markers of kings and nobles. Early Aksumites
worshipped several gods but their main god was called Astar. In 324 AD,
King Ezana II was converted to Christianity and from then on Aksum was a
zealously Christian culture, and is even allegedly the home of the Ark
of the Covenant.
Where did they go?
According
to local legend, a Jewish Queen named Yodit defeated the Aksumite
Empire and burned its churches and literature. However, others believe
that southern pagan queen Bani al-Hamwiyah led to the Aksumite decline.
Other theories include climate change, trade isolation and over farming
leading to starvation.

7.The Mycenaeans

Growing
out of the Minoan civilization, the Myceanaeans merged around 1600 BC
in southern Greece. Being spread out over two islands and the southern
mainland, the Myceaneans built and invaded many major cities like
Mycenae, Tiryns, Pylos, Athens, Thebes, Orchomenus, Iolkos and Knossos.
Many Greek myths are centered around Mycenae including the legend of
King Agamemnon, who led the Greek forces during the Trojan War . The Myceaneans were a dominant naval power and used their naval prowess for trade with other nations as well as for military endeavors. Because of a lack of
natural resources, the Myceaneans imported many goods and turned them
into sellable items and therefore became master craftsmen, known
throughout the Aegean for their weapons and jewelry.
Where did they go?
No
one knows for sure, but one theory is that unrest between the peasant
class and the ruling class led to the end of the Myceaneans. Other point
to disruptions in trade routes, or natural factors like earthquakes. But the most popular theory is that they were invaded
by a civilization from the north like the Dorians (who settled in the
area after the fall of the Myceaneans) or the Sea People (who at the
time were migrating from the Balkans to the Middle East).

6. The Khmer Empire

The Khmer Empire grew out of the kingdom of Chenla in what is now Cambodia around the 9^th century AD and became one of the most powerful empires in Southeast
Asia. The empire is known to most people as the civilization that built
Angkor, Cambodia’s capital city. The Khmer were an incredibly powerful
and wealthy culture who were open to several belief systems including
Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism, which were the
empire’s official religions. Their power also included military might as
they fought many wars against the Annamese and Chams.
Where did they go?
The
decline of the Khmer Empire can be attributed to any combination of
several factors. The first being that the empire was ruled by a devarajo
or god king, but with introduction of Theravada Buddhism, which teaches
self enlightenment, the government was challenged. This led to a lack
of a desire to work for the devarajo which impacted the amount of food
being produced. During the reign of Jayavarman VII, an elaborate road
network was built to make it easier to transport goods and troops
throughout the Empire. But some scholars believe that these roads worked
against them, making it easier for invaders like the Ayuthaya to get
straight to Angkor.

5.The Cucuteni-Trypillian Culture

In
Romania they are the Cucuteni, in the Ukraine they are the Trypillians
and in Russia they are the Tripolie: a late Neolithic culture that
flourished between 5500 BC and 2750 BC. At their height, the
Cucuteni-Trypillian society built the largest Neolithic settlements in
Europe, with some housing up to 15,000 people. One of the biggest mysteries of this culture is that every 60 to 80 years they would burn their entire village and
reconstruct it on top of the old one. The Cucuteni-Typillian culture was
matriarchal, the women were the heads of the household and also did the
agricultural work and made pottery, textiles and clothing. The men were
hunters, tool makers and were responsible for looking after domestic
animals. Their religion was centered around the Great Mother Goddess who
was a symbol of motherhood and agricultural fertility. They also
worshipped the bull (strength,fertility and the sky) and a snake
(eternity and eternal movement).
Where did they go?