Question

What were the limitations of Maya agriculture according to Diamond?

A. Corn agriculture was less productive
B. The Maya had no animal-powered transport or plows
C. The humid climate made it difficult to store corn
D. There were water shortages from geological features (low water table and limestone) and occasional droughts
E. Entirely swidden agriculture meant crop fields had to be abandoned to recover soil fertility
F. The dominant crop, corn, yielded little protein

Answer 1

Maya agriculture faced limitations like the absence of large draft animals and suitable plowing technology, challenging storage conditions due to humidity, and water supply issues from geography and droughts. Despite these challenges, they employed innovative techniques such as raised fields and terracing.

Step-by-step explanation:

The limitations of Maya agriculture according to Jared Diamond include a range of environmental and technological factors. First, the Maya had no animal-powered transport or plows, which limited their farming efficiency. Second, the humid climate in the region made storing corn difficult, impacting the longevity of their staple food reserves. Third, geological features such as a low water table and limestone, along with occasional droughts, led to water shortages that could significantly impact agricultural productivity. Additionally, other scholars have noted that demographic growth led to deforestation and soil erosion, which put further strain on Mayan agriculture. Despite these challenges, the Maya utilized raised, irrigated fields and terracing in mountainous areas to enhance their agricultural output.