How did the ancient Maya of the southern lowlands control the economics of environmental management? Natural resources are both essential and limited for any society.

This is particularly true for those cultures co-existing with the rainforest ecosystem. Here at the site of Motul de San Jose, I am putting together a team of experts in environmental archaeology to assist me in discovering how the ancient residents of the site and its environs controlled the acquisition, maintenance, and distribution of natural resources like animal proteins and agricultural products.

This is one sub-part of a larger project directed by Dr. Antonia Foias of Williams College who hypothesizes that Motul de San Jose is the elusive “Ik” site, a center of production for artworks ranging from stone stela to elaborately decorated pottery.