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Ancient Maya Diet in the Three Rivers Region of Northwest Belize

Knisely, Denise E.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1367928519

Abstract Details

2013, MA, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences: Anthropology.
The goal of this thesis is to examine the diet of ancient Maya living in Northwest Belize using stable isotopic analysis of human bone collagen.. The specific area of study is within the boundaries of the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area, a nature preserve in the Three Rivers Region. This conservation district includes 250,000 acres (~1,052 km2) of land and more than fifty ancient Maya sites. The Programme for Belize Archaeological Project (PfBAP) has conducted original research in this area since 1992 and has amassed a large collection of artifacts from sites that varied in size and socio-political complexity. The scope of this study includes two primary regional political centers - La Milpa and Dos Hombres, and seven associated satellite sites. This thesis analyzes patterns of intra-site hierarchy and heterarchy using stable carbon (d13C) and stable nitrogen (d15N) isotope ratios obtained from human bone collagen from nine Maya sites. As these sites are geographically clustered and have similar access to dietary resources, I predicted that the individuals sampled will likewise have similar d13C and d15N values. As noted at similar Maya sites, the individuals in the Three Rivers Region should have consumed a diet consisting primarily of terrestrial animals and a mix of maize and forest resources. Beyond a few extreme outliers, this does seem to be the pattern of consumption in the majority of the sites sampled.
Vernon Scarborough, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Brooke Crowley, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Kenneth Tankersley, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
126 p.
Archaeology
Maya; diet; isotopes; Three Rivers Region; Belize;

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Knisely, D. E. (2013). Ancient Maya Diet in the Three Rivers Region of Northwest Belize [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1367928519

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Knisely, Denise. Ancient Maya Diet in the Three Rivers Region of Northwest Belize. 2013. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1367928519.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Knisely, Denise. "Ancient Maya Diet in the Three Rivers Region of Northwest Belize." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1367928519

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.