Recent climate reconstructions by researchers from Mexico and the United States suggest that while the domestication of maize (Zea mays) is an ancient practice, its widespread cultivation significantly escalated following a major drought period. This drought likely forced communities in southern Mexico to increase agricultural activities, reducing their reliance on wild foraging methods. The findings provide important context for understanding the agricultural advancements that laid the groundwork for the rise of major civilizations in the region.

Published on Science Advances, these results offer a comprehensive look at the climatic history of the Tehuacán Valley in Puebla, Mexico, from the end of the Pleistocene, also known as the Ice Age, continuing through to the 16th century when Spanish colonization began. The strategic significance of the Tehuacán area is underscored by the presence of numerous archaeological sites, which provide evidence linking climatic changes to shifts in agricultural practices and settlement patterns.

This research not only highlights the adaptability of ancient populations to climatic stressors but also frames the historical narrative of how essential crops like maize facilitated the growth of complex societies. Understanding these dynamics holds implications for modern agricultural strategies, especially in the context of ongoing climate change.