David L Lentz

Biography

I have conducted field research in many areas of North America, studying indigenous groups in Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador, as well as in the southwestern and southeastern US. To develop a greater understanding of how early cultures manipulated their environment through their agricultural and other land-use practices, I have examined the way in which indigenous people, including the Jicaque, Paya and the Kekchi-Maya, use plants. Much of my work has focused on the archaeobotany of the ancient Maya and Olmec, studying the differences in dietary habits among groups of varying economic status. Currently, I am investigating the land use practices of the ancient Maya at Tikal in Guatemala. I welcome students interested in pursuing compatible research projects.

Research Interest

My primary research interests are in paleoethnobotany and paleoecology.