| Ref ID: | 25198 |
|---|---|
| Ref Type: | Book Section in a Series |
| Authors: | Scarborough, Vernon L. Valdez, Fred |
| Title: | The Alternative Economy: Resilience in the Face of Complexity from the Eastern Lowlands |
| Date: | 2014 |
| Source: | The Resilience and Vulnerability of Ancient Landscapes: Transforming Maya Archaeology through IHOPE |
| Publisher: | American Anthropological Association |
| Abstract: | The ancient eastern Maya Lowlands are characterized by both small, highly resilient communities and the growth of large regional centers. The smaller communities, separated by 25 kilometers and dispersed across the landscape, established a circle of interdependency between one another and a spatial separation from the largest centers. Degrees of sustainability were achieved through time by way of a negotiated settlement and land use balance within the relatively fragile biophysical environment. Because tropical ecosystems are identified by low specific species richness in any one patch or microenvironment, humans tend to mimic this spatial dispersiona high‐density ruralism. When assessed by way of high humidity and precipitation, decomposition and disease were significant deranging factors affecting surplus and storage. Roads and navigable canal systems shorten the time necessary for distribution of organicsprincipally food and when coupled with routinized scheduling (calendars), time and distance were reduced. Salting and natural root crop preservation techniques are discussed. A dual or alternative economy is proposed in the context social complexity. |
| Date Created: | 8/13/2019 |
| Editors: | Chase, Arlen F. Scarborough, Vernon L. |
| Number: | 24 |
| Page Start: | 124 |
| Page End: | 141 |
| Series Editor: | Goldstein, Lynne |
| Series Title: | Archeological Papers of the American Anthropological Association |