Project description
The culinary mysteries of the ancient Maya
Unearthing the dietary secrets of the ancient Maya, who thrived in the dense tropical forests of the Maya Lowlands (now Mexico and Guatemala) during the Classic and Terminal Classic periods (AD 250-900) has long been an enigma. What plants did they consume, and how did they prepare them? With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the COMAL project will use cutting-edge analytical techniques, including micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to explore the dietary preferences of the ancient Maya. Through the study of amorphous carbonised objects (ACOs) and (bio)molecules, this project expects to shed light on the plants consumed and their processing methods. This initiative enhances archaeological expertise and unravels the culinary heritage of the Maya and ancient diets.
Objective
COMAL aims at using an analytical approach never applied before on archaeological materials from Central America to bring to light the plants that were consumed and the different ways they were processed by the ancient Maya that inhabited the tropical forests of the Maya Lowlands in what is now Mexico and Guatemala. The investigated periods are the Classic and Terminal Classic periods (AD 250-900). Accordingly, two types of archaeological remains will be considered: amorphous carbonized objects (ACO) and (bio)molecules. ACO’s are visible to the naked eye and are usually investigated with different microscopies, while to characterize the (bio)molecules, a range of spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques will be applied at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice to both archaeological residues and proxies derived from raw (unmodified) modern plants and plants processed under laboratory conditions (experimental archeology). Further analyses by means of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) will be performed during the secondment at the Elettra Synchrotron in Trieste, aiming at revealing the internal structure of ACOs through a non-destructive examination. The applicant, an experienced scholar in both the recovery and identification of macro- and microbotanical remains and starch grains, will enhance her competences by learning cutting-edge techniques seldom employed in the field of archaeology, and in turn bridging the STEM and Humanities, a highly relevant issue at Ca’ Foscari. Likewise, COMAL will increase the knowledge on Maya culinary preferences, including the direct descendants of the ancient Maya living today in Guatemala and Mexico, by bringing information on their dietary heritage and traditions. At a broader level, the project will also shed light on ancient diets. COMAL will expand the applicant’s experience, professional networks, positioning her as a skilled and capable independent scholar.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture grains and oilseeds
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- medical and health sciences health sciences nutrition
- humanities history and archaeology archaeology
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
30123 Venezia
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.