TY - JOUR
T1 - Late Holocene Environmental Reconstruction using Cave Sediments from Belize
AU - Polk, Jason S.
AU - van Beynen, Philip E.
AU - Reeder, Philip P.
AU - Van Beynen, Philip
PY - 2007/7/1
Y1 - 2007/7/1
N2 - Cave sediments collected from Reflection Cave on the Vaca Plateau, Belize show variations in the δ 13 C values of their fulvic acids (FAs), which indicate periods of vegetation change caused by climatic and Maya influences during the late Holocene. The δ 13 C values range from − 27.11‰ to − 21.52‰, a shift of ∼ 5.59‰, which suggests fluctuating contributions of C3 and C4 plants throughout the last 2.5 ka, with C4 plant input reflecting periods of Maya agriculture. Maya activity in the study area occurred at different intensities from ∼ 2600 cal yr BP until ∼ 1500 cal yr BP, after which agricultural practices waned as the Maya depopulated the area. These changes in plant assemblages were in response to changes in available water resources, with increased aridity leading to the eventual abandonment of agricultural areas. The Ix Chel archaeological site, located in the study area, is a highland site that would have been among the first agricultural settlements to be affected during periods of aridity. During these periods, minimal water resources would have been available in this highly karstified, well-drained area, and supplemental groundwater extraction would have been difficult due to the extreme depth of the water table.
AB - Cave sediments collected from Reflection Cave on the Vaca Plateau, Belize show variations in the δ 13 C values of their fulvic acids (FAs), which indicate periods of vegetation change caused by climatic and Maya influences during the late Holocene. The δ 13 C values range from − 27.11‰ to − 21.52‰, a shift of ∼ 5.59‰, which suggests fluctuating contributions of C3 and C4 plants throughout the last 2.5 ka, with C4 plant input reflecting periods of Maya agriculture. Maya activity in the study area occurred at different intensities from ∼ 2600 cal yr BP until ∼ 1500 cal yr BP, after which agricultural practices waned as the Maya depopulated the area. These changes in plant assemblages were in response to changes in available water resources, with increased aridity leading to the eventual abandonment of agricultural areas. The Ix Chel archaeological site, located in the study area, is a highland site that would have been among the first agricultural settlements to be affected during periods of aridity. During these periods, minimal water resources would have been available in this highly karstified, well-drained area, and supplemental groundwater extraction would have been difficult due to the extreme depth of the water table.
UR - https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/geo_facpub/2072
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yqres.2007.03.002
U2 - 10.1016/j.yqres.2007.03.002
DO - 10.1016/j.yqres.2007.03.002
M3 - Article
VL - 68
JO - Quaternary Research
JF - Quaternary Research
ER -