ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses paleoecological data for consistency with the interpretation. Maya impacted their environment, and Deevey's results tell part of the story, starting with the first summary article. It is therefore critical to consider data from current ecological studies in interpreting fossil pollen spectra. Given the persistent issues surrounding the interpretation of vegetation in landscapes based on pollen in today's forest, it would follow that there are even greater ambiguities for fossil pollen in the ancient Maya forest. The chapter focuses the scale of human-environment dynamics in the Maya forest, uncertainties weigh more heavily. The settlements flourished and assured the prosperity of the Classic period, shaping the Maya forest up to the present. It considers the milpa forest garden cycle to be the resource-management system that dynamically shaped the Maya forest and provided the basis to support early settlements and ultimately fueled the growth and development of the Classic Maya.
