Maize
Origin, Domestication, and its Role in the Development of Culture

This book examines one of the thorniest problems of ancient American archaeology: the origins and domestication of maize.

Duccio Bonavia (Author)

9781107023031, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 13 May 2013

601 pages, 24 b/w illus.
26.2 x 18.5 x 3.9 cm, 1.44 kg

'Maize: Origin, Domestication, and its Role in the Development of Culture is perhaps best seen as a provoking and critical appraisal of the current corpus of evidence for the expert reader. Extensively and meticulously referenced, it provides a wealth of data to explore and a wealth of critical perspectives to consider.' Penny Jones, Archaeological Review from Cambridge

This book examines one of the thorniest problems of ancient American archaeology: the origins and domestication of maize. Using a variety of scientific techniques, Duccio Bonavia explores the development of maize, its adaptation to varying climates and its fundamental role in ancient American cultures. An appendix (by Alexander Grobman) provides the first-ever comprehensive compilation of maize genetic data, correlating this data with the archaeological evidence presented throughout the book. This book provides a unique interpretation of questions of dating and evolution, supported by extensive data, following the spread of maize from South to North America and eventually to Europe and beyond.

1. The maize problematic
2. Maize as seen by Europeans
3. The origin of maize
4. The domestication of maize
5. The archaeological evidence
6. The role of maize in Andean culture
7. Maize as seen by the first Europeans
8. The dispersal of maize around the world
9. Chica
10. Discussion and conclusions
Appendix Alexander Grobman.

Subject Areas: Archaeology [HD], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA], History of the Americas [HBJK]