The Classic Maya Collapse: A Review of Evidence and Interpretations Page: 78
162 leavesView a full description of this thesis.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
78
available, varying combinations might supply adequate amounts
of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to the
Classic Maya, thus negating the agricultural theories so
strongly advocated? Until recently, points out William T.
Sanders, no one seriously "suggested that the Maya may have
depended as much, possibly even more, on such root crops as
manioc and sweet potatoes" as on corn, until Bennet Bronson
provided an insightful look at the possibility in "Roots
and the Subsistence of the Ancient Maya" in 1966.5 Bronson,
one of many who lent his energies to the Tikal Project, the
most ambitious long term undertaking in the Maya area, stated
in no uncertain terms: "The possibility should be considered
that roots had a subsistence reality in the Maya economy equal
to that of corn. "6 This certainly cut against the grain of
the accepted premise that corn always had been and probably
always would be the major staple. The "assumption that staple
foods do not change", he warns, "must be cautiously treated."7
Garnering the weight of evidence from observations, infor-
mation from the Conquest period, and lexical and botanical
data, he concentrated his discussion on the root crops he con-
sidered most likely t6 have served the Maya--the sweet potato,
5. William T. Sanders, "The Cultural Ecology of the Lowland
Maya: A Reevaluation,: in The Classic Maya Collapse, ed. T.
Patrick Culbert (Albuquerque University of New Mexico Press,
1973) , p. 339.
6. Bennet Bronson, "Roots and the Subsistence of the Ancient
Maya," Southwestern Journal of Anthropology, vol. 22, no. 3
(1966), p. 256.
7. Ibid, p. 257.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This thesis can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Thesis.
Wood, Jeffrey Clark. The Classic Maya Collapse: A Review of Evidence and Interpretations, thesis, December 1977; Denton, Texas. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc504349/m1/82/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; .