Ancient DNA: Investigating Maya Domesticated Waterscapes

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Environmental DNA (eDNA), or the genetic material obtained from sediments, ice, or water, is a relatively new and untapped methodology in archaeology. This technique provides important insight into the biodiversity of different plant, animal, and microbial communities, positioning archaeologists to understand human-landscape interactions of the past better. More specifically, eDNA is a powerful tool for reconstructing ancient Maya environments, shedding light on both domesticated and wild vegetation growth around artificial bodies of water (Lentz et al., 2021). This study builds upon previous work by examining plant DNA extracted from canal and reservoir sediments at the Late Preclassic Maya site (ca. 200 B.C.E.-200 C.E.) Mensäbäk in Chiapas, Mexico. By detailing our methodology and discussing the implications of eDNA analysis, we hope to understand better the construction and use of domesticated waterscapes and, more broadly, resource and water management in the Maya region.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 41626.0