"Historical Collapses" primer? [View all]

[caraher]

While I could spend some time using "the Google" I know there are people here who have studied this sort of thing already whose knowledge I'd like to tap. What I'm looking for are good examples of past civilizations whose unsustainable practices outstripped available resources and experienced a collapse.

What are some of the clearest and best-studied cases? I don't need extensive information; I mainly would like a list of a few striking instances that can be used to help define the surprisingly elusive concept of "sustainability" through the use of clear negative examples.