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271 DOI: 10.5876_9781607322801.c013 13 An Archaeological Consideration of Long-Term Socioecological Dynamics on the Vaca Plateau, Belize Gyles Iannone, Arlen F. Chase, Diane Z. Chase, Jaime Awe, Holley Moyes, George Brook, Jason Polk, James Webster, and James Conolly In recent years,a number of eminent scholars have urged archaeologists to focus more attention on the examination of long-term socioecological dynamics, particularly because they believe that such research will generate insights that will be crucial as contemporary society attempts to deal with issues such as declining resources, environmental degradation, and climate change (e.g., Costanza, Graumlich, and Steffen 2007b; Costanza et al. 2007; Dearing 2007; Diamond 2005; Hughes 2001; McAnany and Yoffee 2010b:8; McIntosh, Tainter, and McIntosh 2000b; Redman 1999; Rosen 2007; Sabloff 1998; Scheffer 2009:250; van der Leeuw and Redman 2002:597; Wright 2004; Young et al. 2007:449–50). According to John Dearing (2007:23), the ultimate goal of this research program is not to “predict the future, but [rather to] be able to identify, justify, and rank alternative futures for humanity to work toward.” Our contribution to this endeavor emanates from several multifaceted research programs focused on the Vaca Plateau of west-central Belize, where we are attempting to produce a long-term,fine-grained understanding of the emergence, florescence, and eventual decline of ancient Maya communities (A. Chase and D. Chase 2000, 2009a; Iannone and Awe 2010; Iannone et al. 2009; Moyes et al. 2009; Polk, van Beynen, and Reeder 2007; J. Webster et al. 2007). This chapter introduces the five key research foci that comprise our current data set,and provides a preliminary synthesis of our findings. The daTa seTs Ranging from 300 to 560 m above sea level, the Vaca Plateau is characterized by well-drained, karstified 272 IANNONE, A. CHASE, D. CHASE, AWE, MOYES, BROOK, POLK, WEBSTER, AND CONOLLY limestone residual hills,dry valleys,a myriad of sinkholes and deep caves (Polk, van Beynen, and Reeder 2007:55; Reeder, Brinkmann, and Alt 1996:121, 125), and little in the way of surface water (Miller 1996:103; Reeder, Brinkmann, and Alt 1996:128). The regional climate is tropical, with marked rainy and dry seasons, annual rainfall generally falling between 2,000 and 2,400 mm, and a temperature range of 42° to 102°F (Johnson and Chaffey 1973:11).Precipitation is generally localized to individual valleys, and overall the region is highly variable and “unpredictable” when it comes to climate (Penn, Sutton, and Monro 2004:23).Similarly,soils suitable for agriculture are “often scattered”and found in “small pockets” (Wright et al. 1959:180). The natural vegetation is subtropical to tropical rainforest, with numerous palm species as well as mahogany, Ceiba, sapodilla, Spanish cedar, and fig. In cultural terms,the Vaca Plateau was once home to a number of significant Maya centers (Figure 13.1), including Minanha, Camp 6, Ixchel, Caledonia, Caballo, and the sprawling metropolis of Caracol (which includes Hatzcap Ceel,Cahal Pichik,Ceiba,Retiro,San Juan,La Rejolla,and New Maria Camp within its confines). In the past, much of the settlement in the Vaca Plateau was tethered to areas with permanent water sources, such as springs, and terrain that had slope and soil characteristics that were suitable for constructing agricultural terraces (A. Chase and D. Chase 1987, 1998a; Iannone 2005). The specific region that is the focus of the current study is bounded by the Belize Valley to the North, the Macal River to the East, the Belize/Guatemalan border to the West, and the ancient Maya center of Caracol to the South. Five major paleoenvironmental and sociocultural data sets have been generated in this region in recent years. These data sets will now be introduced prior to presenting a synthesis of our shared findings. Macal Chasm The first data set that we wish to discuss derives from the detailed analysis of a stalagmite from the Macal Chasm Cave carried out by James Webster, George Brook, and their team over the last decade (Webster 2000; J. Webster et al. 2007; see also Moyes et al. 2009:197–200). The aim of this research has been to reconstruct the paleoclimatic history of the region, with particular emphasis on documenting periods of severe drought. In the last two decades, cave stalagmites have emerged as one of the most important sources of highresolution paleoclimatic data because they can be dated extremely accurately by ICPMS Uranium-series methods. In addition, some stalagmites have discernible annual and even subannual layers allowing precise...

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