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Maya Reservoir Systems

Type Object Region Mesoamerica Time c. 600–700

From the 6th to 7th centuries, Maya lowland cities widely built reservoirs, dams, and diversion channels to cope with seasonal drought and support de…

Timeline

  1. c. 600–650Tikal · Petén DepartmentFrom the late 6th to early 7th centuries, city-states such as Tikal excavated large artificial reservoirs and depressions, using the limestone karst landscape to collect rainy-season runoff and relieve dry-season water shortages.
  2. c. 651–700Calakmul and Caracol · CampecheIn the mid-to-late 7th century, city-states such as Calakmul and Caracol further integrated reservoirs, dams, and diversion channels, forming water supply networks covering palace districts and agricultural hinterlands to sustain Late Classic population peaks.

Sources