Copyright by Micaela Nerio Obledo 2011 - The University of Texas ...

Preclassic. Sawgrass marshes and bajos would have been abundant at the site
(Miksicek et al 1991: 77‐84).
K’AXOB: ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
K’axob is located in the New River valley of northern Belize where its
mollisols are well suited to maize farming. Data from the site indicates a heavy
Preclassic preoccupation with the harvesting of wetland resources as well, including
small fish, turtles and freshwater gastropods (McAnany 2004b: 8). In addition to
maize, paleoecological evidence indicates that K’axob residents were cultivating
cotton and other economic crops (Jones 1991).
Regarding faunal resources, an abundance of fish are seen to be available in
the early Middle Preclassic with lower presence of mammals and turtles. The late
Middle Preclassic sees a decrease in the availability or utilization of fish resources
and a compensatory increase in the presence of rodents. Turtles also appear to have
been more readily exploited. The Late Preclassic brings resurgence in the utilization
of fish and decline in turtle usage. Birds appear to be a readily available resource in
the Late Preclassic as well. The Terminal Preclassic sees slightly more usage of
turtles but moderate quantities of all other fauna (Masson 2004: 396).
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