Soil Resources of the Ancient Maya in the Petexbatún Region of Guatemala, Delineated by Soil Properties and Stable Isotopes

Authors

David R. Wright, Brigham Young University
Dr. Richard E. Terry, Brigham Young University

Keywords

soil resources, Maya, Petexbatún, soil properties, stable isotopes

College

Life Sciences

Department

Plant and Wildlife Sciences

Abstract

The Maya culture of Mesoamerica has always been shrouded in mystery, much of which surrounds its tremendous rise and (yet) unexplained fall. The Maya managed to sustain enormous populations in an environmentally fragile setting. Like all cultures throughout history, the Maya culture prospered from the soils beneath it. Despite extensive excavation and investigation of Maya sites, relatively little is understood of the agricultural methods that led to such successful subsistence. Understanding is deficient because cultivated areas tend to leave few visible remains besides an occasional terrace or canal, and also because traditionally most investigative efforts have focused on elite structures and artifacts. Recently, though, interest in ancient agriculture has increased, and soil science is being applied to archaeology in ways that may remove the shroud of mystery.

Recommended Citation

Wright, David R. and Terry, Dr. Richard E. (2013) "Soil Resources of the Ancient Maya in the Petexbatún Region of Guatemala, Delineated by Soil Properties and Stable Isotopes," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 1530.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1530