The foundations of agriculture were discovered and provided a more secure food supply, so large groups of Indians could live in one are for a long time. Indian farmers may have grown pumpkins in Tamaulipas, while Tehuacan farmers may have been the first to domesticate corn. The Tehuacan Valley became a center of agricultural development because Indian farmers had a great opportunity to practice agriculture. Soil and moisture conditions in the Tehuacan Valley supported farmers who farmed without worrying about water and land. This also led to a stable agricultural economy. As time passed, farmers acquired more and more knowledge in the agricultural field, which is why they improved plants through the careful selection of the best seeds. Indian farmers spent less time hunting and gathering to have more time for planting and harvesting. The Tehuacan people practiced slash-and-burn, known as milpa or swidden agriculture. The Maya in Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras developed rainforest agriculture in 1200 BC The Maya also practiced slash-and-burn. Around 500 BC, the practice of agriculture was the main source of food for the Maya. Additionally, Mayan farmers practiced large-scale agriculture in raised fields, also called chinampas. Mayan farmers developed extensive hillside terraces. Even the Mayans