Dissertation Research: Maya Wetlands Project: Ecology and Subsistence in Prehispanic Belize

在Patrick Culbert博士的指导下，Jeffrey Baker先生将为他的博士论文收集数据。他将在低地伯利兹进行地质考古研究。贝克先生希望重建史前玛雅人的农业活动。他特别想了解低地地区或“bajos”的种植技术，这些地区在一年中有部分时间被水淹没。他将采用地质和生态技术来研究巴霍土壤的性质、化学性质和保水特性。他将研究一些巴霍类型的植被，以了解土壤、水和植被之间的关系。最后，他还将进行考古发掘，以确定田地是否经过了人类的改造，以及玛雅人是如何使用它们的。考古证据表明，古代玛雅人能够在低洼的热带地区耕种，并生产足够的食物来养活大量人口。虽然许多考古学家认为这是通过一个凸起的田地系统完成的，并且景观被广泛地改变了，但其他人不同意。不幸的是，解决这个问题所需的基本地质和生态数据并不存在。贝克先生将要进行的研究将有助于解决这个问题。这个项目之所以重要，有几个原因。古玛雅人在今天人口稀少的地区繁衍生息。史前人类已经发展出了农业技术，如果对这些技术进行改造，将会产生直接的实际效益。该项目还将促进一位极有前途的年轻科学家的发展。＊＊＊

9318930 Culbert Under the direction of Dr. Patrick Culbert, Mr. Jeffrey Baker will collect data for his doctoral dissertation. He will conduct geoarchaeological research in lowland Belize. Mr. Baker wishes to reconstruct agricultural practices of prehistoric Mayan peoples. In particular he wants to understand cultivation techniques which were practiced in lowland areas or "bajos" which are waterlogged for portions of the year. He will employ both geological and ecological techniques to study the nature of bajo soils, their chemistry and their water retention characteristics. He will study the vegetation of a number of bajo types to understand the relationship between soil, water and vegetation. Finally he will also conduct archaeological excavation to determine whether fields underwent human modification and how Mayan peoples used them. Archaeological evidence demonstrates that ancient Mayan peoples were able to farm low-lying tropical areas and produce enough food to support large populations. While many archaeologists believe that this was accomplished through a system of raised fields and that landscape was extensively modified, others disagree. Unfortunately the basic geological and ecological data necessary to address this question does not exist. The research which Mr. Baker will conduct should help to remedy this problem. This project is important for several reasons. Ancient Mayan peoples thrived in regions which today support only small populations. Prehistoric peoples had developed agricultural techniques which, if reconstructed could have direct practical benefit. The project will also further the development of an extremely promising young scientist. ***