Why was farming so important to the Maya's?

The region was not very hospitable to agriculture.They were completely dependent on their agricultural produce.To ensure that they could grow enough crops each year, the Mayas implemented many innovative methods and undertook many measures.Slash-and-burn was one of the methods included in these.Corn was the most widely grown crop in the region.

The areas of the Mayas that had a thick layer of vegetation were referred to as tropical rainforests and seasonal deserts because the soil wasn't fertile enough for proper farming.Several innovative methods were used to resolve these problems.The construction of stone reservoirs underground was notable.The limestone was lined to stop seepage.If there was a dry season later in the year, the Mayas would use the water from the reservoirs to cultivate the crops.

Many innovative methods were implemented in order to ensure that they could grow enough crops each year.

Slash and burn was a method used by the Mayas.There was a thin upper layer of soil.After two harvests, the layer was exhausted and the people had to leave the field.The field was left alone for five years.After chopping down any vegetation which grew up on it, drying vegetation was put to fire.The burnt remains of the vegetation were returned to the soil to be used for a proper harvest.The field was re-cultivated for another two years.

A large part of the Maya civilization was spread over a large area.Some cities had access to level land for farming, while others faced hills.The terraces along the slopes of the hills gave the cities an advantage.The terraces were created by lining them with a wall.They were able to eliminate erosion by securing the water within the fields.Maize and other crops were grown on terrace farms which were watered using canals constructed by the Mayas in such a way as to use water most efficiently.

swampy lands were hard to cultivate crops in the lowlands.The raised beds were created to solve the problem.The raised beds were created by the canals and were used to grow crops.They created raised farms at an artificial height.They propped up mats of reed from the swampy waters.They placed the fertile mud from the bottom of the swamps on the mats.Farming yielded two to three crops in a single year.

Most of the farming tools were made from stone and wood.Stone axes were used when they had to slash down the vegetation on the field in order to burn it.A piece of stone was attached to the end of the axes.The axe was useful for felling smaller plants, but not against larger and stronger trees.Simple wooden sticks were used to plant the seeds.They put the seeds in the hole before watering the field.

Maize was the primary source of food for the Mayas.Since maize was a staple diet in the Mayas, they were able to feed their entire population.Mayas ground maize into a paste after soaking it in lime.Maize was eaten as a drink and a gruel.The primary crop was grown on most of the cultivable land around the cities.There are many vegetables such as tomatoes and potatoes.The chili peppers were grown by the Mayas.The fruit grown by the Mayas were papaya, guava, and avocados.

An extended family lived together and had a garden of their own.There is a personal garden in this picture.The garden was mostly used to grow non-maize crops.The women looked after the garden while the men went on to farm or hunt.

Non-essential exotic crops and plants were grown by the Mayas.Cocoa beans were the most notable.Cocoa beans were cultivated for their high demand and price because they were consumed by the nobility in the non-Mayan cities.Tobacco was smoked for pleasure.In the personal gardens of the rich nobility, vanilla is grown for its sweet scent.