Maize and ancient Maya droughts.

ABSTRACT: The ancient Maya culture of Mesoamerica shaped landscapes for centuries, in an area where maize (Zea mays) cultivation is considered a fundamental crop in the diet of present and ancient Mesoamerican cultures. Pollen records from sites with different environmental and climatic conditions of the Yucatán Peninsula (Mexico) and Peten (Guatemala) evidence a clear relationship between increased maize pollen and periods of reduced precipitation caused by El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) while moist periods are characterized by low maize pollen presence. ENSO conditions were not evenly distributed across the Yucatán Peninsula, and regional droughts vary according to regional climate and geographical conditions. Our results indicate a strong relationship of increased maize and tropical forest d

SUBMITTER: Islebe GA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9789100 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature