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Ancient Maya wetland fields: a new model based on multiple proxies

Timothy Beach (Georgetown University)
Sheryl Luzzadder-Beach (George Mason University)

Abstract

Geoarchaeological research in the wetlands of northern Belize reveals a new model of Maya wetland agriculture as an adaptation to landscape inundation and aggradation in the Archaic through Post Classic periods. Maya farmers were burning and farming this landscape as early as 4500 BP, but the water table rose, inundating and burying fields from 3000 to 1000 BP as gypsum precipitated from sulfate and calcium saturated water. We present numerous excavations with multiple lines of evidence from two large areas of wetland fields. We build our findings from water and soil chemistry, pollen, phytoliths, macrofossils, and over thirty radiocarbon dates. These lines of evidence suggest the Maya built canals and field plots in the Classic Period (1700-1100 BP) to reclaim the fields for maize and tree crops.