Ancient Maya built fish-trapping weirs in Belize

Live Science turned to a University of Cincinnati geography professor to understand the significance of the discovery of the first evidence of aquaculture among the ancient Maya. 

Researchers at the University of New Hampshire discovered evidence of ancient fish-trap weirs in Belize. The ancient Maya dug a network of canals to steer fish into the weirs, providing the first evidence of aquaculture.

Researchers said the fish traps could have fed thousands of people.

UC College of Arts and Sciences Professor Emeritus Nicholas Dunning was not part of the research project but has studied the ancient Maya in Mexico and Guatemala. He said the study provides some answers to fundamental questions about how the ancient Maya thrived 4,000 years ago.

“Over the past several decades, quite a few scholars of the ancient Maya, including myself, have suggested that aquaculture may have played an important role in the development of Maya civilization,” Dunning said. “However, the present study is the first that I know of to specifically attempt to test this hypothesis.”

Dunning called the study an important work in helping scholars of the ancient Maya understand the origins of sedentary society in the region.

Read the Live Science story.

Featured image at top: Researchers discovered evidence of aquaculture by the ancient Maya in Belize thousands of year ago. Photo/Dave Alan