Multi-Proxy Analysis of Plant use at Formative Period Los Naranjos, Honduras

Abstract

Paleoethnobotanical analyses of samples excavated at Los Naranjos, Honduras, provide an unprecedented record of the diversity of plants used at an early center with monumental architecture and sculpture dating between 1000 and 500 B.C. and contribute to understandings of early village life in Mesoamerica. Los Naranjos is the major site adjacent to Lake Yojoa, where analysis of an important pollen core suggests very early clearing of the landscape and shifts in the relative prevalence of certain plants over time, including increases in maize. Our results from starch grain, phytolith, and macrobotanical analysis complicate interpretation of previous pollen core dates, suggesting that maize was not as central as expected to the early inhabitants of the settlement. Moreover, with identification of macrobotanical remains recovered from flotation of sediments and extraction of microbotanical remains from adhering sediments and the surfaces of obsidian tools, we can compare the potential of each analysis in interpretations of plant use. No single method would have allowed recovery and identification of all the plants documented across sample types. The presence of botanical residues on the obsidian tools provides direct evidence of processing. Even in the small sample analyzed, we can recognize tools used exclusively for culinary processing, tools used only for non-culinary tasks, and multi-purpose tools.

Ancient Maya impacts on the Earth's surface: An Early Anthropocene analog?

“…In some lakes and wetlands this may have started in the Middle Holocene with pollen evidence showing the changeover from peak forest to diminished forest taxa. The cause may have been the natural drying of Late Holocene climate or the first anthropogenic flush of agriculture indicated by Z. mays and charcoal by 5400 BP in Honduras (Pohl et al, 1996;Rue et al, 2002), and archaeological evidence for use of cultigens back to 8500 BP (Morell-Hart et al, 2014). However early this might have been, Z. mays, disturbance pollen, and Maya clay are in full force from 3000 BP through at least the Terminal Classic period and in some places up to the European conquest, which likely ushered in reforestation.…”

“…Rue et al (2002) point out the age discrepancy of Zea pollen showing up by 5400 BP, but archaeological evidence not appearing until 3300 BP in the region (Rue et al, 2002). Morell-Hart et al (2014), nonetheless, review archaeological evidence from Honduras for use of cultigens that extends back to 8500 BP, though Z. mays came much later.…”

Ethnoecology in Pre-Hispanic Central America: Foodways and Human-Plant Interfaces

“…Such impacts have been signaled in studies that upend the Pristine Myth (Denevan 1992) to address "escaped species" of homegardens and orchards (Folan et al 1979) and visualize the landscape of southeastern Mesoamerica as a "managed mosaic" (Fedick 1996) or a "constructed niche" . Although models of early village life in southeastern Mesoamerica are frequently based on maize cultivation, results for this area of Honduras indicate a much lower ubiquity of maize than anticipated by such models (Morell-Hart 2011;Morell-Hart et al 2014).…”

“…Critical work has been accomplished on the origins and spread of cultigens such as maize (Perry et al 2007; Pickersgill 2007; Piperno 2009; Ranere et al 2009), the relationship between plants and artifact use (Lentz et al 1996; Piperno and Holst 1998), the importance of root crops in ancient societies (Cagnato and Ponce 2017; Piperno 2006; Piperno et al 2000; Sheets et al 2011; Simms et al 2013), agricultural practices and landscape (Baldi 2011; Dickau 2010; Lentz et al 2015; Matthews 1984; Piperno 2007; Rue 1987, 1989), and forest management and ecology (Anchukaitis and Horn 2005; Dussol et al 2017; Goldstein and Hageman 2009; Lentz et al 1997, 2015; McNeil et al 2010; McNeil 2012). In recent years, researchers have used new approaches that greatly expand the potential for recovery of evidence of plants and their uses (Anchukaitis and Horn 2005; Hageman and Goldstein 2009; Kraft et al 2014; Lentz et al 2015; McClung de Tapia 1985; McNeil et al 2010; Morehart et al 2005; Morell-Hart 2011; Morell-Hart et al 2014; Pickersgill 2007; Piperno 2009; Piperno et al 2000; Sheets et al 2011, 2012; Whitney et al 2012).…”

“…This paper uses the case study of Puerto Escondido, located in the lower Ulúa River valley of Caribbean coastal Honduras, to demonstrate how we can explore ethnoecology in Central America. It builds on the effectiveness of using multiple methods in concert to interpret ethnobotanical practice in the past (Morell-Hart 2011; Morell-Hart et al 2014). By examining chipped-stone tools, ceramics, sediments from artifact contexts, and macrobotanical remains recovered from Puerto Escondido (Henderson and Joyce 1998, 2004a, 2004b; Joyce and Henderson 2001, 2002, 2003, 2010, 2017), research on botanical practices “in the home,” such as foodways, medicinal practices, fiber crafting, and ritual activities, can be complemented by studies of practices “close to home,” such as agricultural and horticultural practices, forest management, and other engagements with local and distant ecologies.…”