Hydro-Ecological System of the Maya in Petén, Guatemala

Part of: Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

This collection contains the abstracts of the papers presented in the session entitled "Hydro-Ecological System of the Maya in Petén, Guatemala" at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Because water is necessary for human life and for agriculture, water management was critical for the survival of past societies and is a significant issue for the archaeology of climate change and sustainability. How were water sources controlled/not controlled? How did people utilize and maintain water sources? How was water involved in ecological, ideological, and symbolic systems? How was water related to ecological, ideological, and symbolic systems? In the Petén lakes region, Guatemala, freshwater ecosystems served as nurseries for many animals and fishes for the Maya around the region. In this session, we consider water management strategies and techniques in archaeological sites in Petén. Session participants discuss a wide range of water management practices, including water uses of lacustrine resources. By understanding the ways in which the Maya communities managed their water in the region, we might be able to solve present-day problems.

Other Keywords
digital archaeology • Maya: Preclassic • Water Management and Irrigation • Survey • Landscape • Settlement patterns • Water Management • Maya: Classic • Maya: Postclassic • Domesticated Waterscapes

Geographic Keywords
United Mexican States (Country) • Belize (Country) • North America (Continent) • Peten (State / Territory) • Yucatan (State / Territory) • Orange Walk (State / Territory) • Cayo (State / Territory) • Corozal (State / Territory) • Belize (State / Territory) • Stann Creek (State / Territory)