BACKGROUND
The Maya had an everlasting effect on their environment in Central America, shaping it and leaving behind traces of structures, pyramids, ceramics, lithics and agriculture. In the past three decades, archaeologists have been conducting many research projects aimed at uncovering and interpreting the remains of the Maya culture in Belize. Since 1992, one large-scale archaeology project called the Programme of Belize Archaeology Project (PfBAP) has been focusing in the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area (RBCMA) in the Three Rivers Region located in northwestern Belize. Numerous Maya archaeologists, including Dr. Marisol Cortes-Rincon from Humboldt State University, conduct research on the ancient settlements that are in the RBCMA.
In the project called the Dos Hombres to Gran Cacao Archaeology Project (DH2GC), Dr. Marisol Cortes-Rincon conducts research in the survey area between the Dos Hombres, Gran Cacao and the Great Savannah sites using a multidisciplinary approach of archaeology, geoarchaeology and ecology to determine the ancient Maya land uses and resource management. The study area is comprised of small household groups, reflecting commoner communities, one of which includes the site called N350. N350 is comprised of terraces, structures, and water features that were built to support the ancient site. Using information obtained from previous field seasons for the DH2GC project, I will examine land management and land use by analyzing the spatial relationships between the features and the topography of the site of N350.
METHODS
In my research, I obtained GIS data from previous field seasons collected by the DH2GC Archaeology project. I mapped the terraces, structures, platforms, depressions called aguadas, water channels and excavation units based on Global Positioning System (GPS) and Total Mapping Station points. Using the points, I created a surface model, contour lines and slope analysis to get a better understanding of the site.
DISCUSSION
By mapping the landscape and examining the topography, we are able to examine how the features were constructed on the landscape to manage the resources in the area. The topography and slope analysis help to display the contour of the area, which helps us understand that the structures are located on a small hill. The channels were located on the sides of the hill and led into the aguadas. The channels may have been built to divert water away from the structures. It also appears that the terraces were on the side of the site. Because of the proximity, the northernmost aguada, may have fed into the terraces to provide water for the crops in the terraces.
By examining the spatial relationships of the features and the topography of the site, we were able to determine possibilities for their functions. The Maya may have built the features in order to properly manage the resources of water and crops. The site, based on the presence and construction of agricultural terraces and water storage, may indicate that the site is a crop production site. The crop production may have served to feed the surrounding communities.
FUTURE RESEARCH
There are various ways that my research project could advance or improve. Currently, Anthropology graduate student Byron Smith is analyzing the soil content of the test pits in the area. He is determining how the soil reflects human activities. His research results may help give a better understanding of the land management and land use of the site. In addition, we can obtain the possible volumetric extent of the aguadas, to determine how much water they could potentially hold. We would need to take into account the evaporation rates in order to determine how much water was being displaced by evaporation. By examining the evaporation rate and the volumetric extent of the aguadas, we may be able to determine how much water was available and stored in the aguadas for people to use.
Aleck Tan 