An Analysis of Macrobotanical Remains From Commoner Households At the Ancient Maya Site of Aventura

Abstract

By Anna Salem, Biological Sciences and Neuroscience

Advisor: David Lentz

Presentation ID: 180

Abstarct: Paleoethnobotanical remains are a useful resource in further understanding the way of life for ancient civilizations. In this study, macrobotanical remains were collected from the excavation of the archeological site of Aventura between 2017 and 2019. Aventura reached its peak during the Late Classic Period in 600-900 CE, following the decline of many other Maya cities. This poster presents paleoethnobotanical data from commoner households at Aventura, and seeks to identify culturally significant, routinely used plant species. The samples were identified down to the family level based on the transverse surface, and then mounted for more precise identification. Once the plant remains were mounted, they were imaged using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). These micrographs of the samples were used to visualize microscopic botanical features, which allowed for identification to genus and species. This data was used to determine how the commoner households of Aventura interacted with their botanical environment.