Vernacular environmental cartographies: landscapes & navigation unseen in Lacanjá Chansayab, México

History of Lacanjá-Chansayab and Land Use00:10:58

The speaker provides historical context regarding the Lacandón community, land tenure changes in the 1970s, and how the physical landscape, including milpas (agricultural plots) and trails, defines their spatial and cultural boundaries.

Introduction to TOSCA and Guest Speaker00:00:00

Nick Millea introduces the 32nd series of The Oxford Seminars in Cartography (TOSCA), outlines upcoming events, and introduces guest speaker Dr. Luz Martin del Campo.

Research Overview and Theoretical Framework00:07:09

Dr. Martin del Campo introduces her study of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) among the Lacandón Maya, focusing on how they use trees and natural landmarks as navigation tools and identity markers within their environment.

Methodology: Analyzing Maps and Archives00:15:24

Dr. Martin del Campo discusses her research methodology, including the examination of hundreds of topographic and cultural maps at the Bodleian Libraries to understand how vernacular trails (senderos) were historically depicted and navigated.

Trees as Navigation and Cultural Markers00:26:46

An exploration of how ceiba trees and other flora serve as symbolic and practical navigation markers, anchoring ancestral memories and defining private household spaces within the rainforest.

Public vs. Private Mapping Practices00:32:15

The speaker contrasts public, tourist-focused signage in the rainforest with the invisible, private vernacular mapping systems used by the community for daily navigation, which require specialized local knowledge.

Conclusion and Q&A00:39:43

The concluding remarks emphasize that indigenous mapping is embedded within the landscape itself. The subsequent Q&A session addresses climate change, the impact of tourism, the ethics of ethnographic research, and the future of indigenous cartography.