Maya Households Engineered Landscapes for Farming and Rainwater Control

Recent archaeological findings indicate that ancient Maya families in the Yucatán Peninsula meticulously organized their homes in harmony with the natural terrain, utilizing slopes and depressions to manage rainfall and facilitate small-scale farming. The investigation, led by archaeologist Carlos Matos Llanes from Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), centers on four sites uncovered during the Maya Train Archaeological Salvage Project. Instead of focusing on grand structures like temples, this study examines the areas around typical residences, exploring how Maya households interacted with their environment. While it has been acknowledged that central settlement areas were modified for agriculture, less emphasis has been placed on domestic surroundings. The results reveal a more advanced approach to land management at the household level, highlighting the significance of everyday spaces in understanding Maya environmental practices.