1. From Gathering to Agriculture The Mayans

2. Why Farming? “In their twilight days, the Maya were a society in deep trouble, according to the authors of the new study. Densely populated cities strained resources. Agricultural production became crucial in order to feed the people.” (Richardson B. Gill, author of The Great Maya Droughts: Water, Life, and Death)

3. Life in the Jungle Brainstorm with your group: What might be some foods you could find in this forest? Maya diet: sapodilla fruit, jicama, sweet potatoes, cacao tree fruit, tomatoes, avocados, macal (leaves, tubers, shoots) and chili peppers as well as corn, beans—particularly black beans—and squash. Also green vegetables like chaya (Jatropha aconitifolia). Meat- in the lowlands, at least- included the ocellated turkey (also the wild turkey), peccary, armadillo, crocodile, spider monkey, turtles, deer, manatee, tapir and howler monkey as well as various species of saltwater fish, iguana and freshwater fish. A certain kind of domesticated dog was also eaten.

4. Advice from a traveler Clothes: Use trousers, not shorts. There are snakes, tarantulas and scorpions Water is limited. Insect repellant: Have enough with you ! Expect heavy attacks ! In San José, north of the Lago Peten, is an organization, that produces traditional Mayan medicine. They sell a lotion against mosquitoes made from the extracts of plants. The benefit is, that this is not washed down when you sweat. I had it with me and used it during the five days. On the third day after using this, the mosquitoes stopped to attack me. Light is attractive: It’s not bad to have a flash light with you, but don’t use it when you eat in the night at the camp fire. You might be anxious that some animals fall in you soup, tea or coffee. Don’t care, you cannot change it. But if you try to light your dish to examine the content, you will attract complete armies of insects of all sizes. Their only desire is to jump in your spaghetti. So it’s better you eat in the darkness and allow the insects to jump in the soup of your friends.

5. Hunter-Gatherer Challenges Brainstorm with your group: What challenges might you face, finding food in this forest?

6. So… Why farming?