[Aztlan] NEW RESEARCH ON DOMESTICATED MAIZE

[michael ruggeri]

Listeros,

A new study of early Mexican maize has been carried out by Dr. John  
Jones and his colleagues, Mary Pohl, and Kevin Pope. Maize was first  
domesticated in Mexico but the time and location of the earliest  
domestication and dispersal is still in question. New studies using  
genetic and microbotanical techniques suggest Maize may have been  
domesticated in Mexico as far back as 8000 BCE.

Maize is wind pollinated and deposits pollen in soil and water  
sediments. Its tough outer wall protects it from deterioration but it  
is difficult to tell the wild pollen from the domesticated variety  
except in the larger sizes. But an examination of microscopic  
phytoliths  which are silica and calcium osilate deposits found in  
stems, leaves and roots are preserved even if the plant is burned or  
disintegrated. And researchers have found they can distinguish  
between wild and domesticated phytoliths. And phytoliths are  
preserved on ceramic and stone artifacts used to process food.

The researchers studied sediments in San Andres, Tabasco and have  
found domesticated agriculture going on in the Yucatan at 5000 BCE.

Starch grains produced by maize can also be studied and researchers  
have found they can distinguish between wild and domesticated  
varieties of starch grains.

The recent research in this area will be presented at a Symposium on  
Maize Biology in Merida, Mexico on June 28 beginning at 8:30 AM.

Mike Ruggeri


EurekAlert has the story here;

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-06/asop-eoo062308.php

A tiny URL;
http://tinyurl.com/4ygybr


Mike Ruggeri



Mike Ruggeri's The Ancient Americas Breaking News
http://web.mac.com/michaelruggeri