Agrarian production and intensification at a Postclassic Maya community, Buena Vista, Cozumel, Mexico

This study investigates the nature and intensity of ancient Maya agrarian production systems at the site of Buena Vista, Cozumel as an adaptive response to regional market demands occurring during the Late Postclassic period (A.D. 1200-1518). I argued that production systems are cultural adaptations resulting from the interplay between cultural selection of resource primacy, motivated by local and larger economic institutions in which the group participates, historically available technology and natural resource opportunities and limitations. Therefore, understanding the relationship between land resources, farming technology and cultural priorities is essential to understanding how agrarian production systems operate.;My study focused on investigates ways in which settlement pattern data offer insights to understanding agrarian production systems in agrarian communities. A settlement agroecological approach that combines methods and theories of settlement ecology, landscape ecology and agroecology was selected as the best approach to investigate agrarian production in Buena Vista. Following this approach, I conducted survey and mapping at the site, based on field methods and models I designed specifically to recover information on ancient farming systems.;Through survey and mapping of a study area of approximately 5.2 km² centered in the site core, I identified four distinct microenvironmental zones in the local landscape and assessed their agricultural capability. Subsequently, I identified the surface evidence of agrarian technologies, cultivable parcels, houselots, and residential organization in each zone and analyzed these data employing an idealized model of agrarian settlements known as the Orchard/Garden-Infield-Outfield Model (OGIFOF).;The patterned relationship that emerged among settlement features and land resources allowed for the interpretation of land management strategies and agrarian production systems implemented in different zones of the site. Buena Vista's local landscape is characterized by a complex distribution of land resources of varying agricultural potential, that were stratified and adapted for agricultural production employing various technologies including terraces on ridges and troughs, water-control dikes on wetlands, wind breaks near the coast line, and stone demarcation of special productive soils in rejolladas, huayas and upland areas. Remarkably, large tracts of rich agricultural land were employed for extensive beekeeping activities indicating the importance of production of this commodity in Buena Vista.;Results of this study demonstrate how a Late Postclassic farming community stratified land resources and built its local landscape into a complex diversified agrarian production center specialized in the production of marketable commodities. This demonstration contributes to a better understanding of regional Maya Late Postclassic economics and particularly adds information to understanding the economic system of Late Postclassic Cozumel. My study contributes to anthropological theory by presenting a case study of how regional commercial systems affect the structure and organization of local farming communities.