Keywords
Water Management, Maya, Caracol, Belize
Abstract
Water management techniques in the Southern Maya Lowlands are both regionally diverse and site specific. This thesis examines the water management strategies of the Classic Period Maya at the site of Caracol, Belize. While it is likely that elites at Caracol controlled the redistribution of resources, i.e. craft and agricultural products, it is probable that the production of agricultural resources and the maintenance of water resource acquisition took place on a more local level. In order to test this hypothesis, a sample of five reservoirs were examined through original research -- and situated in conjunction with past settlement studies -- to determine the water storage capacity and likely function of different water management features throughout the built environment of Caracol. As a result, this thesis argues that the placement and construction of water management features -- i.e., reservoirs -- at the site of Caracol, Belize are indicative of specific landscape patterns which are expressed by a distinct vernacular construction style and are also a reflection of the socio-political organization present within the site during the Late Classic Period.
Notes
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Graduation Date
2009
Advisor
Chase, Arlen
Degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
College
College of Sciences
Department
Anthropology
Degree Program
Anthropology
Format
application/pdf
Identifier
CFE0002652
URL
http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0002652
Language
English
Release Date
May 2009
Length of Campus-only Access
None
Access Status
Masters Thesis (Open Access)
STARS Citation
Crandall, James, "Water And The Mountains: Maya Water Mangement At Caracol, Belize" (2009). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 4023.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/4023