Maize likely central to ancient Maya diets, study of bones and teeth suggests

Maize was probably more than just a staple for many Classic Maya communities in southeastern Petén, Guatemala, according to a new study that uses stable isotope analysis on human bone and tooth samples. By tracing the chemical “signatures” embedded in biological tissues, researchers can reconstruct aspects of diet that would otherwise be invisible in the archaeological record.

The team analyzed isotopic ratios associated with different food sources, focusing on how dietary contributions may have changed across individuals and communities. Because isotopic patterns vary with plant types and local environmental conditions, the approach can distinguish a maize-centered diet from diets that rely more heavily on other foods.

In practical terms, carbon and nitrogen isotope values provide complementary information. Carbon isotopes help differentiate maize from many other potential carbohydrate sources, while nitrogen isotopes can reflect variation in trophic level—how much a person’s diet leaned toward plant foods versus resources higher on the food chain.

The archaeological context adds another layer. The study links dietary reconstructions to sites where maize cultivation continues today, including the site of Curucuitz. Such continuity suggests that agricultural practices and cultural preferences may have reinforced maize’s nutritional role over long periods.

The researchers also examine material culture, including ceramic evidence from Ixtutz. Depictions on vessels showing people arranged in pairs sharing the contents of a pitcher point to the social and symbolic dimensions of eating—suggesting that maize-based foods may have been both meaningful and widely shared.

The work was published in PLOS One and supported by SECIHTI (formerly CONAHCYT) funding, plus an additional UNM research stay enabled through a UC MEXUS collaborative project. The authors report no competing interests.

While the results do not “prove” a single diet for all people, they provide strong evidence that maize was nutritionally and symbolically central for many studied individuals. As isotopic methods improve, such studies are likely to refine how ancient societies experienced everyday food, identity, and community life.

Overall, the findings offer a viral, story-rich window into the Classic Maya: maize as both a biochemical imprint in teeth and bones and a cultural anchor reflected in daily practices and artistic scenes.