Research carried out by the University of Cincinnati suggests the ancient Maya were one of the first civilizations to create a significant and large-scale impact on tropical forest environments.
Using satellite imaging technology and the data from over 10,000 archaeological sites, the team of scientists found that the ancient Maya constructed more than 400 km (249 miles) of canals and drained over 5,000 sq km (1,930 sq miles) of land.
This is the first direct evidence of widespread land drainage and canal irrigation by the ancient Maya, which demonstrates a previously unrecognized level of human-induced environmental change in the tropical forests of the Americas.
The research, published in the journal Nature, provides new insight into the complex interactions between humans and the environment in the Maya region and highlights the potential for large-scale environmental impacts by ancient societies.
The study highlights the profound impact of human activity on the environment and the need to consider the role of humans in shaping the world's ecosystems.
