Comprehensive Review of Anthropogenic Landscape Modifications and Environmental Engineering by the Maya Civilization in The Three River Region of Belize: Synthesis of Archaeological Scholarship

Abstract

Extensive landscape modifications shaped and supported Maya societies across the Three Rivers Region of Belize during the Classic period. Population growth, environmental degradation, and prolonged drought are frequently cited as contributing factors when referring to the Maya “collapse”, which resulted in the abandonment of many major centers. A growing body of research on anthropogenic landscape transformation highlights the adaptability and effort of the Maya responding to a dynamic and often unpredictable environment. Evidence reveals a diverse range of strategies and practices employed in response to overlapping pressures, challenging previous assumptions on the ecological stability of the Maya society.