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Using Lidar and GIS to Investigate Water and Soil Management in the Agricultural Terracing at Caracol, Belize

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 January 2017

Adrian S.Z. Chase  and
John Weishampel
Adrian S.Z. Chase
Affiliation:
Arizona Sate University, PO Box 872402, Tempe, AZ 85287-2402 (adrianszchase@gmail.com)
John Weishampel
Affiliation:
University of Central Florida, P.O. Box 160112, Orlando, FL 32816-0112
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Abstract

In April 2009, a lidar survey flown by the National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping recorded 200 square kilometers of terrain that comprised the Classic Period Maya city of Caracol, Belize. The data revealed a highly manipulated landscape of dense settlement, agricultural terraces, and residential reservoirs. Literature on Maya agriculture has discussed the benefits of terraces in controlling soil erosion, retaining water, and managing the gravitational flow of water; however, until now these benefits have not been quantified or demonstrated on the ground at scale. This research utilizes these lidar data and data derivatives in order to test the degree to which the ancient Maya manipulated their environment and were able to support large-scale populations through their landscape management practices. As such, the research provides evidence supporting the significance of agricultural terraces and their impact on limiting soil erosion, increasing water retention, and permitting flow control over rainfall runoff. This research also highlights the conscious effort by the ancient Maya to manage the hydrology of their terraced landscape.

En Abril de 2009 Centro Nacional para Mapas Láser en Vuelo (NCALM) realizo un levantamiento aéreo utilizando lidar con el que se mapeo la topografía de 200 kilómetros cuadrados que incluyen ciudad Maya de Caracol en Belice que corresponde al periodo clásico. Los datos revelaron una topografía altamente modificada con asentimientos densos, terrazas agrícolas y represas hídricas residenciales. La literatura sobre agricultura Maya ha discutido las ventajas de las terrazas agrícolas para controlar la erosión de los suelos, retener y manejar el flujo gravitacional del agua; sin embargo, hasta ahora estas ventajas no han podido ser cuantificadas o demostrados en el campo a gran escala. Este estudio utiliza los datos de lidar y datos derivados para determinar el grado en que los antiguos Mayas manipularon su medio ambiente para poder sostener grandes poblaciones a través de sus prácticas de manejo y modificación del terreno. Como tal, la investigación proporciona evidencia para soporta la importancia de las terrazas agrícolas y su impacto en la reducción de la erosión de los suelos, aumentar la retención de agua, y el controlar de el flujo de las aguas lluvias. Además, este estudio destaca el esfuerzo intencional de los antiguos Mayas para manejar la hidrología de su terracería agrícola.

Type
Research Article
Information
Advances in Archaeological Practice , Volume 4 , Issue 3: Special Issue: Progression and Issues in the Mesoamerican Geospatial Revolution , August 2016 , pp. 357 - 370
Copyright
Copyright © Society for American Archaeology 2016

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