Landuse and soil degradation in the southern Maya lowlands, from Pre-Classic to Post-Classic times: The case of La Joyanca (Petén, Guatemala)

D. Galop 1 Jean-Paul Métailié 2 B. Vannière 1 G. Bossuet 1 F. Monna 3 J.A. Lopez-Saez 4 V. Breuil 5 Jean-Michel Carozza 2 Marie-Charlotte Arnauld 5 Eva Lemonnier 5 Mélanie Forné 5
1 LCE - Laboratoire Chrono-environnement - UFC (UMR 6249)
2 GEODE - Géographie de l'environnement
3 BGS - Biogéosciences [UMR 6282] [Dijon]
4 CCHS - Centro de Ciencias Humanas y Sociales
5 ArchAm - Archéologie des Amériques
Abstract : "This work focuses on the impact of Maya agriculture on soil degradation. In site and out site studies in the area of the city of La Joyanca (NW Petén) show that “Maya clays” do not constitute a homogeneous unit, but represent a complex sedimentary record. A high resolution analysis leads us to document changes in rates and practices evolving in time in relation with major socio-political and economic changes. It is possible to highlight extensive agricultural practices between Early Pre-classical to Late Pre-classical times. Intensification occurs in relation with reduction of the fallow duration during Pre-classic to Classic periods. The consequences of these changes on soil erosion are discussed. However, it does not seem that the agronomic potential of the soils was significantly degraded before the end of the Classic period." (source éditeur)
Keywords : slash and burn cultivation soil erosion Maya lowlands Maya area Petén Maya clay
Document type :
Journal articles
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https://halshs.archives-ouvertes.fr/halshs-01875557
Contributor : Benedicte Macgregor <>
Submitted on : Monday, September 17, 2018 - 3:04:40 PM
Last modification on : Thursday, February 20, 2020 - 10:30:03 AM

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UNIV-PARIS1 | ARCHAM | CNRS | UNIV-FCOMTE | UNIV-BOURGOGNE | GEODE | UNIV-TLSE2 | CHRONO-ENVIRONNEMENT | MAE | MSH-MONDES

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D. Galop, Jean-Paul Métailié, B. Vannière, G. Bossuet, F. Monna, et al.. Landuse and soil degradation in the southern Maya lowlands, from Pre-Classic to Post-Classic times: The case of La Joyanca (Petén, Guatemala). Geodinamica Acta, Taylor & Francis, 2012, 20 (4), pp.195-207. ⟨10.3166/ga.20.195-207⟩. ⟨halshs-01875557⟩

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