Popcorn Map (IMAGE) Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Caption Corn was first domesticated in Mexico nearly 9,000 years ago and arrived in South America several thousand years later. Credit Pamela Belding. STRI Usage Restrictions Credit required License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.