Ancient American Eating Habits

Dr. David Lentz, paleoethnobotanist, from the University of Cincinnati, uses a hand lens to get a close look at the fruit of a beech tree. The size shape and color of fruits and flowers help botanists distinguish one plant from another. The beech tree, in the family Fagaceae, is native to temperate Europe and North America. Lentz has conducted field research in many areas of North America, studying indigenous groups of Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador, as well as in the southwestern and southeastern U.S. Much of his work has focused on the archaeobotany of the ancient Maya and Olmec, stud ying the differences in dietary habits among groups of varying economic status.

Credit: Lisa Ventre, University of Cincinnati Photographic Services