Terra Preta Soils of Mesoamerica: Did the Ancient Maya Alter Soil Productivity with Black Carbon?

摘要

Many of the soils on the vast karst plain of Central America's Yucatan Peninsula are shallow, red-colored ustalfs known locally as kancab. However, in ancient Maya cities, satellite rural sites, and some other rural sites the soils are very dark, organic rich Ustolls known as Boxluum. Indeed, contemporary Maya farmers still preferentially farm these areas. Other soils associated with many of the archaeological sites such as Piedras Negras, Aguateca, Motul de San Jose, and Tikal in the Peten region of northern Guatemala are dark colored Rendolls referred to as luum. Ancient agricultural activities have been associated with these dark soils.