Wetland manipulation in the Yalahau region of the northern Maya lowlands

Manipulation of wetlands for agricultural purposes by the ancient Maya of s outhern Mexico and Central America has been a subject of much research and debate since the 1970s. Evidence for wetland cultivation systems, in the fo rm of drained or channelized fields, and raised planting platforms, has bee n restricted primarily to the southern Maya Lowlands. New research in the T alahan region of Quintana Roo, Mexico, has recorded evidence for wetland ma nipulation in the far northern lowlands, in the form of rock alignments tha t apparently functioned to control water movement and soil accumulation in seasonally inundated areas. Nearby ancient settlements date primarily to th e Late Preclassic period (ca. 100 BC 50 AC 350), and this age is tentativel y attributed to wetland management in the area.