Lidar Mapping and Modeling of Wetland Canal Complexes across Tabasco, Mexico

Keywords: Wetlands, Lidar, GIS, Mapping, Ancient Maya
Session Type: Virtual Poster Abstract
Day: Sunday
Session Start / End Time: 2/27/2022 03:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/27/2022 05:00 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 27

Abstract

Lidar technology has advanced the way we visualize ancient infrastructure and conduct excavations. One of the ways Lidar has provided insight in the Maya Lowlands has been by identifying rectilinear features in wetlands, which field studies have confirmed are ancient Maya canal systems. Archeological evidence indicates that these wetland fields and canal systems were an important part of Maya infrastructure. However, the environmental and topographic factors that contribute to the suitability of wetlands can be further investigated to understand what contributed to the arrangement of wetland complexes seen in previous Lidar work in Belize and Aguada Fenix. This paper presents Lidar findings from multiple sources to map and model the extent of wetland canal features in the Mexican state of Tabasco, on the coastal plain in the region with the earliest evidence of Olmec and Maya culture. This study examines wetland site suitability through topography, slope, wetness index, vegetation cover and location of ancient Maya sites. To obtain results, we used ArcGIS, along with Lidar and DEM to determine wetland suitability. The Lidar mapping and modeling will be the basis of further fieldwork in 2022 to verify these wetland complexes and their role in ancient Mesoamerican subsistence.