Journal
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
Volume 379, Issue -, Pages 17-31Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2013.03.006
Keywords
Pollen; Charcoal; Climate; Corn; Agriculture; Maya lowlands
Funding
- U.S. National Science Foundation [0647034]
- National Geographic Society [8203-07]
- Alfawood Foundation
- Direct For Social, Behav & Economic Scie
- Division Of Behavioral and Cognitive Sci [0647034] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
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The timing, magnitude and drivers of late Holocene environmental change in the Holmul region of the southern Maya lowlands are examined by combining paleoenvironmental and archeological data. Environmental proxy analyses on a similar to 3350 cal yr lacustrine sediment record include pollen, charcoal, loss on ignition, magnetic susceptibility, and elemental geochemistry. Archeological evidence is derived from extensive settlement surveys conducted near the study site. Results indicate nearby settlement and agricultural activity taking place in an environment characterized by open forest from around 3350 to 950 cal yr BP. The fire history shows a dramatic increase in burning during the Classic period, possibly reflecting changing agricultural strategies. A distinct band of carbonate deposited from 1270 to 1040 cal yr BP suggests decreased hydrologic input associated with drier conditions. Abrupt changes in proxy data around 940 cal yr BP indicate a cessation of human disturbance and local abandonment of the area. Published by Elsevier B.V.
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