WQXR's Artist Propulsion Lab talks to UC biologist
Paleobotanist David Lentz studies ancient cultures in Mesoamerica
WQXR's Artist Propulsion Lab spoke with a University of Cincinnati biology professor about the environmental lessons we can learn from the ancient Maya.
UC College of Arts and Sciences paleobotanist David Lentz and his UC collaborators study ancient cultures in Mesoamerica. They have studied the ancient Maya and their use of natural resources over the centuries more than 2,000 years ago.
A pyramid rises above the rainforest at the ancient Maya city of Tikal. Photo/David Lentz
Lentz told WQXR that the ancient Maya initially used slash-and-burn agriculture. But over time and as their population increased, these farming methods created problems such as erosion that the ancient Maya had to address.
"They developed more sustainable agriculture and agri-forestry techniques to control erosion and intensify food production," Lentz said.
"They protected forest tracts to maintain major amounts of tree cover and conserve habitat," Lentz said.
These forests contained important medicinal plants and sources of timber, he said.
Joining Lentz on the program are composer Layale Chaker and pianist Fabian Alamazan for a discussion on music and environmental stewardship.
Lentz told WQXR that the ancient Maya protected sacred groves and planted parks around their reservoirs in some cities. But they also converted some tropical rainforest to pine savanna through continual use of slash-and-burn methods.
But Lentz said these rainforests recovered over time, giving him hope for deforested rainforests around the world today.
"There is some hope that even though some of that land in Amazonia has been degraded, if we can leave it alone long enough, these forests will return," Lentz said.
Featured image at top: UC biology professor David Lentz poses at the ancient Maya city of Tikal. Photo/Provided
UC researchers Nicholas Dunning, Vernon Scarborough and David Lentz take sediment samples at the ancient Maya city of Tikal. Photo/Liwy Grazioso Sierra
UC studies ancient Mesoamerica
UC researchers Vernon Scarborough, David Lentz and Nicholas Dunning have collaborated on numerous studies of ancient cultures in Mesoamerica. Photo/Provided
Related Stories
6 ways starting a GLP-1 medication could affect your emotions
May 20, 2026
When patients first start taking a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medication, they probably expect to feel full. But they might not anticipate how it can influence their emotions. The medications act on the stomach and the brain, said Malti Vij, MD, a University of Cincinnati adjunct associate professor in the College of Medicine's Department of Internal Medicine and a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.
Pocket-sized population threat
May 18, 2026
The Financial Times took a deep dive into why populations around the world continue to be on the decline. The publication cited new University of Cincinnati research as part of the investigation that looks at the fall of fertility in the digital era.
Colorado silica dust trial could change the way industry does business
May 17, 2026
Betsy Malloy, Andrew Katsanis Professor of Law, at the University of Cincinnati, spoke with Bloomberg Law about how a Colorado trial could change the way the stone fabrication industry does business.