Age of water maya3/6/2023 Soil profiles near wetlands revealed heightened carbon isotope ratios due to agriculture and corn production and researchers noted a three- to fourfold increase in phosphorus throughout Maya-age sediments. ![]() Maya clay and soil sequences indicated erosion, human land-use changes and periods of instability. “These spikes give us insight into how and why Mayas interacted with their environment, as well as the scope of their activity,” said Sheryl Luzzadder-Beach, co-author and chair of the Department of Geography and the Environment. The researchers identified six stratigraphic markers - or “golden spikes” - that indicate a time of large-scale change, including: “Maya clay” rocks unique soil sequences carbon isotope ratios widespread chemical enrichment building remains and landscape modifications and signs of Maya-induced climate change. “Though it has no doubt accelerated in the last century, humans’ impact on the environment has been going on a lot longer.”īy looking at Maya impacts on climate, vegetation, hydrology and lithosphere from 3,000 to 1,000 years ago, researchers propose that the Maya’s advanced urban and rural infrastructure altered ecosystems within globally important tropical forests. Centennial Professor of Geography and the Environment. “Most popular sources talk about the anthropocene and human impacts on climate since the industrial revolution, but we are looking at a deeper history,” said lead author Tim Beach, the C.B. Synthesizing old and new data, researchers were the first to show the full extent of the “Mayacene” as a microcosm of the early anthropocene - a period when human activity began greatly affecting environmental conditions. Image provided by Tim Beach, Department of Geography and the EnvironmentĪUSTIN, Texas - Evidence from the tropical lowlands of Central America reveals how Maya activity more than 2,000 years ago not only contributed to the decline of their environment but continues to influence today’s environmental conditions, according to researchers at The University of Texas at Austin. Professor Tim Beach and Professor Sheryl Luzzader- Beach in the tropical lowlands of Central America.
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