Abstract

JIMENEZ CANO, Nayeli G.  and  SIERRA SOSA, Thelma N.. Fisheries in a Maya Coastal Settlement of the Classical Period: Ichthyoarchaeological Analyses at Xcambó (Yucatan, Mexico). Antipod. Rev. Antropol. Arqueol. [online]. 2018, n.31, pp.25-44. ISSN 1900-5407.  https://doi.org/10.7440/antipoda31.2018.02.

This paper presents the results of an analysis of fish remains from the pre-Hispanic coastal settlement of Xcambó, Yucatan, Mexico dating from the Early to Late Classical period (350-750 AD). This is one of the first ichthyoarchaeological studies in a Mayan settlement with a dominant presence of fishes in the zooarchaeological assemblage. The results showed an abundance of estuarine species such as sharks, snooks and catfishes, which were particularly important for the ancient inhabitants of Xcambó. Fishing was practiced near coastal and estuarine environments using simple, but highly productive, technological tools. In paleoecological terms, the ichthyofauna indicated healthy coastal environments where the presence of species currently absent and threatened represents an important source of ecological data.

Keywords : Ichthyoarchaeology,; Maya archaeology,; pre-Hispanic fisheries, paleoecology..

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