Gissele Ozaeta

History of Belize

7/2/2023

Mayan Agricultural Practices during the Classic Period

In “A History of Belize in 13 Chapters” Assad Shoman states “the Classic Period saw the

culmination of tremendous achievements among the Mayas”. Agriculture was among the list of

these tremendous achievements. Mayan farmers had several well-developed farming

technologies that are still used to this day. “They engaged in a variety of scientifically-regulated

agricultural practices” (Shoman 2). These included irrigated and ridged field systems along with

terracing and the widely used slash-and-burn technique. In the irrigated field system irrigation

canals supplied water that was carried to the fields in clay vessels. The fields were fertilized with

sediments and aquatic plants from the canals. Thus, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem. The

ridged-field method of cultivation included ploughing the land to help drain the fields by

allowing water to flow through the furrows created while allowing moisture to reach the plants

and drain the fields of excess water. Another agricultural practice used was terracing. This

included growing crops on the sides of hills and mountains by planting on terraces built into the

slope. This method requires intense labor but maximizes the use of the land area and reduces too

much water loss. The Maya also used the slash-and-burn technique. As the name suggests this

method involves cutting down forest land and burning it thoroughly. After burning, the layer of

ash left behind is excellent fertilizer for plants.