Early maize pollen from Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, USA

A groundbreaking discovery at Chaco Culture National Historical Park reveals the presence of early maize cultivation dating back to 3940–2450 years ago, predating previously documented Puebloan agricultural practices. Analysis of prehistoric woodrat middens in sandstone cliff fractures uncovered abundant Zea mays pollen grains, significantly larger than modern varieties, suggesting multiple maize varieties were cultivated. The study also highlights a discrepancy between the radiocarbon ages of pollen and plant macrofossils within the same middens, emphasizing the need for independent dating of pollen assemblages to accurately reconstruct ancient agricultural landscapes.

Hall, S. A. (2010). Early maize pollen from Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, USA. Palynology, 34(1), 125–137. https://doi.org/10.1080/01916121003675746