The Black San Pablo Paleosol of the Teotihuacan Valley, Mexico: Pedogenesis, Fertility, and Use in Ancient Agricultural and Urban Systems

Recent research reveals that the ancient landscape of the Teotihuacan Valley, Mexico, was significantly altered by human-induced erosion and sedimentation processes from pre-Hispanic to Colonial periods. The Black San Pablo Paleosol (BSPP), a soil layer dating back to the Formative and Classic periods (approximately 400 B.C.–A.D. 650), has been identified under modern soil horizons, providing insights into past paleoenvironmental conditions and human activities. Analysis of maize pollen, phytoliths, diatoms, and micromorphology indicates that the BSPP was used for agriculture and irrigation practices. Despite its fertility, the BSPP's low water infiltration suggests challenges with seasonal water saturation. This study contributes to reconstructing regional paleoenvironmental history and understanding ancient agricultural and urban systems.

Sánchez‐Pérez, S., Solleiro‐Rebolledo, E., Sedov, S., de Tapia, E. M., Golyeva, A., Prado, B., & Ibarra‐Morales, E. (2013). The Black San Pablo Paleosol of the Teotihuacan Valley, Mexico: Pedogenesis, Fertility, and Use in Ancient Agricultural and Urban Systems. Geoarchaeology, 28(3), 249–267. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/gea.21439