NPR: Excavations reveal sophisticated Mayan water filtration
A multidisciplinary team of UC researchers makes a startling find at Tikal
NPR's Weekend Edition talked to University of Cincinnati researchers about their amazing discovery that the ancient Maya created a sophisticated filtration system to keep drinking water clean.
A multidisciplinary team of biologists, anthropologists and geographers in UC's College of Arts and Sciences found evidence that the ancient Maya imported materials such as sand and zeolite for the express purpose of filtering water stored in the reservoirs that largely provided their only potable water during the dry season.
UC's findings were published this month in the journal Scientific Reports.
NPR host Scott Simon talked to one of the co-authors, UC biology professor David Lentz, about the team's discovery.
"The Maya were a very clever and inventive people. They had stunning architecture. They had beautiful sculptures. They were adept at astronomy. They had mathematics," Lentz said.
The project included lead author and UC associate professor of anthropology Kenneth Barnett Tankersley, UC geography professor Nicholas Dunning, UC assistant research professor Christopher Carr and UC professor emeritus of anthropology Vernon Scarborough.
Featured image at top: The ancient Maya city of Tikal. Photo/Jimmy Baum/Unsplash
Related Stories
University of Cincinnati students taking class to see realities...
November 25, 2024
WLWT reporter Lindsay Stone visited the University of Cincinnati campus and the River City Correctional Center to get a better understanding of the "Inside-Outside" program, led by UC’s J.Z. Bennett.
A long haul with long COVID-19
November 25, 2024
A growing body of evidence suggests those in the low- and middle-income brackets are more likely to develop long COVID-19, to suffer longer with its symptoms and to endure job loss, eviction and other serious consequences because of it.
UC starts adaptive athletics program
November 25, 2024
Program director and coach Jacob Counts spoke with WOSU Columbus Public Radio about the new UC Adaptive Athletics program that gives the opportunity for athletes with disabilities to compete in collegiate sports.