Interpreting δ13C Values Obtained on SOM from Ancient Maya Reservoirs and Depressions

Kenneth Barnett Tankersley; Nicholas P. Dunning; David L. Lentz; Christopher Carr; Liwi Grazioso; Trinity L. Hamilton; Kathryn Reese-Taylor

doi:10.1177/01976931221146570

Interpreting δ¹³C Values Obtained on SOM from Ancient Maya Reservoirs and Depressions

Kenneth Barnett Tankersley, Nicholas P. Dunning, David L. Lentz, Christopher Carr, Liwi Grazioso, Trinity L. Hamilton, Kathryn Reese-Taylor

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Elemental analyzer (EA) Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry was used to measure ∂¹³C values on soil organic matter from reservoirs and depressions at the ancient Maya urban centers of Tikal, Guatemala and Yaxnohcah, Mexico. Variation in δ¹³C values on soil organic matter were > −2.0‰, which suggests enrichment from C4 plants including maize, other tropical grasses (Poaceae), and tropical sedges (Cyperaceae), CAM plants (Clusia sp.), and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Cyanobacteria were likely a major contributor to the 13C enrichment of soil organic matter in Maya reservoirs and depressions, which has obfuscated our understanding of ancient Maya maize production. It is possible that the Maya used cyanobacteria as a fertilizer, which enriched agricultural field soil organic matter.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	123-145
Number of pages	23
Journal	North American Archaeologist
Volume	44
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/01976931221146570
State	Published - Oct 2023
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2022.

Keywords

Guatemala
Mexico
Tikal
Yaxnohcah
Zea mays (maize)
cyanobacteria
δ13C enrichment

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title = "Interpreting δ13C Values Obtained on SOM from Ancient Maya Reservoirs and Depressions",

abstract = "Elemental analyzer (EA) Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry was used to measure ∂13C values on soil organic matter from reservoirs and depressions at the ancient Maya urban centers of Tikal, Guatemala and Yaxnohcah, Mexico. Variation in δ13C values on soil organic matter were > −2.0‰, which suggests enrichment from C4 plants including maize, other tropical grasses (Poaceae), and tropical sedges (Cyperaceae), CAM plants (Clusia sp.), and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Cyanobacteria were likely a major contributor to the 13C enrichment of soil organic matter in Maya reservoirs and depressions, which has obfuscated our understanding of ancient Maya maize production. It is possible that the Maya used cyanobacteria as a fertilizer, which enriched agricultural field soil organic matter.",

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AU - Tankersley, Kenneth Barnett

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AU - Lentz, David L.

AU - Carr, Christopher

AU - Grazioso, Liwi

AU - Hamilton, Trinity L.

AU - Reese-Taylor, Kathryn

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