Agriculture in Mesoamerica dates to the Archaic period of Mesoamerican chronology (8000-2000 BC). At the beginning of the Archaic period, the Early Hunters of the late Pleistocene era (50,000-10,000 BC) led a nomadic lifestyle, relying on hunting and gathering for sustenance. However, the nomadic lifestyles that dominate the late Pleistocene and early Archaic gradually transition into a more sedentary lifestyle when hunters gather micro-bands in the region begin to cultivate wild plants. The cultivation of these plants provides security to Mesoamericans, enabling them to increase the surplus of "starvation food" near seasonal camps; This surplus can be exploited when hunting is bad, during periods of drought, and when resources are low. Crop cultivation can be initiated on purpose, or by accident. The first can be done by bringing wild plants closer to the camp site, or to the frequently visited areas, so it's easier access and collection. The latter can occur because certain plant seeds are eaten and not fully digested, causing these plants to grow wherever human habitation will take them.
As the Archaic period evolved, plant-based food cultivation became increasingly important for the people of Mesoamerica. The reliability of cultivated plants allows hunting and gathering micro-bands to build permanent settlements and increase their size. These larger settlements require a larger quantity of food, thus leading to greater dependence on the crops maintained. Finally, the Mesoamerican people formed a sedentary lifestyle based on plant and cultivation maintenance, complemented by small hunting. The eccentric lifesty that relies on agriculture allows permanent settlements to grow into villages and provides opportunities for the division of labor and social stratification.
The most important plant in ancient Mesoamerica, is, irrefutable, corn. Pumpkin and beans are also a staple food of the ancient Mesoamerican farming diet and along with corn, often referred to as the "Three Sisters."
Video Agriculture in Mesoamerica
Tanaman Domestik Asli Awal dan Luas Budaya
Richard S. MacNeish completed the extensive archaeological survey of Mesoamerica, where he found the corn cob in the caves of Tehuacan, Puebla. It was initially thought that this cob date dates back to about 5000 BC, but after radiocarbon dating it was determined that it found dates for 3500 BC. The earliest corncobs were found in the cave of GuilÃÆ'¡ Naquitz in Oaxaca and dated from 4300 BC. Corn arrives at this point through the terrible sexual transmutation of Teosinte, the ancestor of maize. It became the most important plant in all of Mesoamerica. Corn can be stored for long periods of time, can be ground into flour, and easily turn into surplus for future use. Corn is vital to the survival of the Mesoamerican people; this is reflected in the original myths, their artwork, and their rituals. The God of Corn is depicted throughout Mesoamerica in statues of stone, carvings on the altar, and even in the temple, which further indicates the importance of corn for the Mesoamerican nation.
Another important plant in Mesoamerican farming is squash. Bruce D. Smith found evidence of a pet squash ( Cucurbita pepo ), in the cave of GuilÃÆ'¡ Naquitz in Oaxaca. It finds dates back to 8000 BC, the beginning of the Archaic period, and is associated with today's gourds. Another important pumpkin that was domesticated in the early period of Archaic was bottled flask ( Lagenaria siceraria ). Pumpkin bottles provide storage space for collecting grain for grinding or planting and means of carrying water. Squash provides an excellent source of protein for ancient Mesoamericans, as well as for people today.
Another main food source in Mesoamerica is peanuts. Corn, peanuts, and pumpkins form a triad of products, commonly referred to as "Three Sisters." Growing these three plants together helps to keep the nutrients in the soil.
Rubber trees and cotton plants are useful for making culturally significant products such as rubber balls for ball games and Mesoamerican textiles, respectively. The proof of this ball game is found throughout Mesoamerica, and the performance of the game is related to many of Mesoamerican's mythical origin. This game has a ritualistic meaning and is often accompanied by human sacrifice. Cotton drying allows the textiles of bright colors to be made. This textile is a testament to the appeal of the Mesoamerican community with the jewelry and cultural value that they place on appearance.
Another culturally important plant is cocoa (ancient Mesoamerican chocolate). Cocoa is used in ritual (as a drink) and is also used as currency in trading.
The above plants are only a few tamed plants that are important to the ancient people of Mesoamerica. Please see the sections below for a more comprehensive list of ancient Mesoamerican domestication plants.
Maps Agriculture in Mesoamerica
Domestic Plants
Sumber utama: Makanan Pra-Kolumbia is the name and destination of the Mesoamerica:
* Asterisk shows a common English or Spanish word derived from the native word
Cultivation Techniques
One of Mesoamerika's greatest challenges for farmers is the lack of usable land, and poor soil conditions. The two main ways to combat poor soil quality, or nutritional deficiencies in the soil, are to leave empty fields for a certain period of time in the milp cycle, and to use slash-and-burn techniques. In slash and burn agriculture, trees are felled and allowed to dry for a certain period of time. Wood and grass are then burned, and the resulting ash adds nutrients to the soil. Both of these techniques are often combined to maintain as much nutrients as possible. However, in a forest environment, no matter how carefully farmers, nutrition is often difficult to maintain. To combat the lack of widespread land that can be used, farmers in Mesoamerica have found a way to create more land.
The first way to create land is to form a porch along the slopes of a mountain valley. The terrace allows farmers to use more land on the slopes, and to move farther up the mountain than they normally can. Some of the terraces are made of stone walls, and others are made by cutting down large trees, and pounding the soil around them. There is evidence that the Mayans and Aztecs use elevated fields in some swampy areas, and into floodplains. However, the Aztecs also make a plot of land called chinampa. This is a plot of land and sludge, which is placed above the thick layers of water vegetation. This farming style is essential for the growth and survival of the city of Tenochtitlan, due to its location.
Many of Maya's food supplies are grown in garden gardens, known as pet kot . This system takes its name from low stone walls ( pet which means circular and kot loose rock walls) that typically encircle forest garden plots. The first dated corncob was found in the cave of GuilÃÆ'¡ Naquitz in Oaxaca and dates from 4300 BC. Corn appears through the domestication of teosinte, which is considered the ancestor of maize. Corn can be stored for a long time, can be ground into flour, and easily provide surplus for future use. Corn is vital to the survival of the Mesoamerican people. The cultural significance is reflected in Mesoamerican myth, artwork, and rituals.
Mesoamerican natives also used irrigation techniques unlike other early agricultural societies in early Mesopotamia. However, unlike the dry plains of the Fertile Crescent, the Mesoamerican region has a rougher field, therefore making irrigation less effective than farming and slash-and-burn techniques.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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