[Aztlan] Questions about vegetation on Mesoamerican ruins

[J. L. Baker]

--- David Hixson <aztlandave at yahoo.com> wrote:

>
> 
> [Side note - it has been suggested that certain
> species of trees, specifically Ramon, were planted
> in
> ancient Maya sites, therefore are more common in
> archaeological ruins]

In 1982, Lambert and Arnason published an article in
Science studying the distribution of plants on the top
of Maya structures (public and residential) and those
on top of natural bedrock outcrops. They found that
the vegetation on top of natural bedrock outcrops was
nearly identical with that found on top of the public
(large mounds) structures. They attributed this
similarily to the presence of limestone in the large
structures, not to pre-hispanic Maya economic
practices. Nicholas Hellmuth (in a personal
communication) also noted that most of the pyramids
were constructed using midden material as fill. This
material would be rich in organic matter, further
encouraging the regrowth of vegetation on the
structures.

Lambert, J. D. H. and J. T. Arnason
1982	Ramon and Maya Ruins: An Ecological, not an
Economic Relation.  Science 216: 298 – 299.


> 
>
> 
> > What is the tallest structure entirely covered in
> > vegetation growing on 
> > it (as opposed to around it forming a canopy)?


Based upon my own observations, and photographs I've
seen, it appears that most of the structures that do
not extend above the canopy are entirely covered in
vegetation. The vegetation probably got there through
natural means. Seeds deposited on the structures via a
variety of natural causes (wind, birds, bats, or
simply dropping from the branches of adjacent trees).

> > 
> > How did the vegetation get there?
> > 
> > What kind of vegetation is typically found?
> > 
> > How deep are the roots?
> > 
> > The depth of the soil

Soil depth on top of larger structures tends to be
relatively shallow (less than 10 cm thick). On some of
the smaller housemounds, I've encountered soil
deposits over 20 cm thick.


Thanks,

Jeff Baker



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