Maya Postclassic persistence in the Birds of Paradise Wetland Fields, Belize

TL;DR

Ancient Maya communities in Belize adapted to environmental and societal changes by using wetland agroecosystems, as revealed by preserved wooden structures and artifacts.

Contribution

The study presents preserved wooden architecture and a Bayesian chronological model showing Maya persistence in wetlands during societal and climate shifts.

Findings

Wetland agroecosystems supported Maya communities during the Terminal Classic to Postclassic transition.

A new Bayesian model refines the timeline of occupation in the Birds of Paradise wetlands using 14 radiocarbon dates.

Preserved wooden structures and artifacts highlight adaptation strategies amid environmental challenges.

Abstract

This research provides compelling evidence for ancient Maya adaptation to the profound challenges experienced during the Terminal Classic (CE 800 to 1000) to the Postclassic (CE 1000 to 1500) through the use of wetland agroecosystems. As large urban centers across the Maya regions succumbed to interconnected socioenvironmental factors, communities at the Birds of Paradise complex persisted through this transition by erecting a series of raised earthen, stone, and wood structures with direct access to the copious resources and connectivity afforded by this riverine wetland system. Our long-term study of this landscape and a recently uncovered settlement with uniquely preserved wooden architecture and domestic remains support urgent calls for wetland conservation in the race against modern climate change and land use.

Rapid decay of organic artifacts obscures our view of ancient tropical settlements. We present a study of architecture and artifact assemblages from an ancient settlement excavated at the Birds of Paradise (BOP) fields, the largest lidar and field-validated ancient Maya wetland field complex. The site’s unique setting preserved architectural wood and provides exceptional evidence of Maya Terminal Classic (CE 800 to 1000) to Postclassic (CE 1000 to 1500) persistence within tropical wetlands through periods of large-scale societal and climate change. A new Bayesian chronological model tightens the occupation history for the broader BOP wetlands based on 14 new radiocarbon dates of wood and charcoal from this settlement. These wetlands and their preserved ancient wood face imminent destruction through modern land uses.

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