The term “historical” refers to long-term effects and long-term relationships with the
environment. During the Maya times, the Copan Valley was a part of the socio-economic
environment essential to their lives for survival. During the classic Copan era, the simulation
model shows how they harvested crops using the long-fallow system. This ensured a good
harvest and one for the next year and years to come. During the middle classic and classic
climax, the population growth showed that the annual crop carrying capacity was exceeded
from over-cropping and erosion (230). This shows the outcome of population growth and what
it had on the future generation of agricultural production. The relationship between society and
environment is essential in understanding the historical processes in the Copan Valley during
the Maya times. It is crucial to the cultural history, and long-term implications present today
(232).