How was land prepared for growing corn in ancient Mesoamerica?

In ancient Mesoamerica, land preparation for growing corn relied entirely on human energy and simple hand tools, as there were no draft animals available for plowing.123

Methods varied based on the environment:

• Slash-and-burn (Swidden): In tropical lowlands, farmers cleared forests by chopping vegetation with stone axes and burning it to add nutrients to the soil. Fields were typically planted for a few years and then left fallow to restore fertility and manage weeds.412
• Highland Techniques: In the drier highlands, agriculture was more intensive. Farmers used terracing—constructed with earth, maguey, or stone—to control erosion and conserve moisture on sloping terrain.13
• Swamp Reclamation: A significant achievement was the creation of chinampas, or artificial islands. Farmers converted swampy areas and lakeshores into productive land by digging drainage ditches and building up soil using lake mud and vegetation.43
• Soil Management: Farmers utilized irrigation systems, including canals and sluice gates, to manage water levels and timing, particularly to protect crops from frost.13

Once the land was prepared, seeds were sown using fire-hardened digging sticks.4