@article{05d563b3fe2a4f238f8f3a83e3957325,
title = "A cosmology of conservation in the ancient Maya world",
abstract = "The Classic Maya of the southern lowlands were one with world rather than one with nature, a view that promoted the conservation of their world for millennia, what I term a cosmology of conservation. I explore how their cosmocentric worldview fostered biodiversity and conservation by discussing the ceremonial circuit and pilgrimage destination of Cara Blanca, Belize. Here the Maya left a minimal footprint in the form of ceremonial buildings from which they performed ceremonies, doing their part to maintain the world at several of the 25 water bodies/portals to the underworld. The Maya intensified their visits when several prolonged droughts struck between 800 and 900 ce; it was to no avail, and many Maya emigrated and have successfully renegotiated their relationship in the world to the present day. Their history of engagement serves as a lesson for present society, one that cannot be ignored.",
keywords = "Conservation, Cosmocentric worldview, Cosmology, Maya, Pilgrimage, Sustainability",
author = "Lucero, {Lisa J.}",
note = "Funding Information: A National Science Foundation Grant (SBE-BCS 1249235) funded the 2014 –2015 seasons, which is gratefully acknowledged. Other funding was provided by the University of Illinois Research Board and Forestland Group, which is also much appreciated. Research in Belize would not have been possible without permission from the Belize Institute of Archaeology of the National Institute of Culture and History; many thanks go to Dr. John Morris and Ms. Melissa Badillo. In Belize, invaluable logistical support and friendship are provided by Jeff Roberson of Yalbac Ranch. I could not have conducted fieldwork without my top-notch field crew (foremen Cleofo Choc and Jos{\'e} Ernesto Vasquez, field assistants, and undergraduate and graduate students). Special thanks go to University of Illinois PhD students Jean T. Larmon, Erin Benson, and Aim{\'e}e Carbaugh. I want to thank members of the Descola book club (Tim Pauketat, Jeannie, and Erin), as well as Stephen Houston and David Stuart for their correspondence on animal spirit companions via email. Finally, I want to acknowledge the constructive feedback from three anonymous reviewers and the editor, Lawrence Straus, which made this paper much stronger. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2018 by The University of New Mexico.",
year = "2018",
month = sep,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1086/698698",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "74",
pages = "327--359",
journal = "Journal of Anthropological Research",
issn = "0091-7710",
publisher = "University of New Mexico",
number = "3",
}