Settlement, trade, and subsistence in coastal Mesoamerica: An introduction

AbstractOver the past several decades, a large corpus of studies has been published on the relationship between resource availability and settlement in coastal Mesoamerica, particularly regarding the prevalence of mixed subsistence systems early in the Formative Period (ca.1800–850 BC). Few recent comparative works, however, are available which draw together research on coastal human–environment interactions from several Mesoamerican regions. This article endeavors to contribute toward interregional comparisons by highlighting findings from case studies in this special section of The Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology. I explore broadly relevant themes, including geomorphic impacts on the archaeological record and the significance of coastal resources to coastal settlement, subsistence, and trade. While common patterns illuminate archaeological debates, it is important to identify the distinctive environmental characteristics of different regions which impact the visibility of archaeological data as well as the resources available to local populations. I emphasize the utility of conducting high-resolution interdisciplinary research to capture such ecological variability.Keywords: Geoarchaeologyagricultureaquatic faunahuman–environment interactionsinterregional exchange AcknowledgementsI extend my sincere gratitude to the contributors of this special section: Patricia Beddows, Beverly Goodman-Tchernov, Roy Jaijel, Arthur Joyce, Jeffrey Glover, Michael Loughlin, Heather McKillop, Tanya Peres, Christopher Pool, Dominique Rissolo, and Derek Smith. The ideas and conclusions presented in this introduction also benefitted extensively from the participation of both audience and forum members at the 2018 SAA convention in Washington, DC as well as discussions with Barbara Stark. The 2018 forum contributors included: Sarah Barber, Lourdes Budar, Jeffrey Glover, Jessica Hedgepeth Balkin, Arthur Joyce, Heather McKillop, Torben Rick, and Dominique Rissolo. I am also grateful for the constructive comments on this introduction by the special section authors and the helpful comments by an anonymous reviewer. Finally, this section would not have been possible without the efforts of several JICA editors: Todd Braje, Scott M. Fitzpatrick, and Christina Giovas.Disclosure statementThis is to acknowledge no financial interest or benefit has arisen from the direct applications of the research in this manuscript.