Possible Maya Cacao Tree Groves Discovered in Mexico
February 1, 2022
PROVO, UTAH—According to a statement released by Brigham Young University, a team of researchers from Mexico and the United States led by Richard Terry of Brigham Young University has identified the locations of nine ancient sacred groves of cacao trees in northern Yucatán through a process of soil analysis. Cacao beans were used to produce highly valued chocolate, and so such trees were kept under the control of the Maya elite, who used the beans as currency.
