Historical Ecology and Landscape Archaeology in Lowland South America

Historical Ecology and Landscape Archaeology in Lowland South America

Author: André Carlo Colonese

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2023-06-22

Total Pages: 325

ISBN-13: 3031322843

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This edited volume scrutinizes how pre-Columbian human societies have shaped and transformed lowland South America – contributing to biological and landscape diversity. This geographic area has supported human populations since at least the transition from the Pleistocene to Holocene, but the nature and scale of these interactions are matters of debate and their legacy to modern lowland environments is not fully understood. This book brings together works from distinct disciplines, including theoretical and methodological approaches on single case studies or broad regional syntheses, with no chronological constraint. The editors aim to generate a novel contribution reporting the most recent and ground-breaking research on human interactions with past environments and resources in lowland South America, from pre-Columbian to Colonial times. The volume also discusses the legacy of these past interactions and their potential contribution to informing current conservation and development agendas, providing examples of how archaeology and paleoecology can fill gaps in conservation and developmental policy. This volume will be of interest to students, archaeologists, and readers of Latin American studies.


Book Synopsis Historical Ecology and Landscape Archaeology in Lowland South America by : André Carlo Colonese

Download or read book Historical Ecology and Landscape Archaeology in Lowland South America written by André Carlo Colonese and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2023-06-22 with total page 325 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This edited volume scrutinizes how pre-Columbian human societies have shaped and transformed lowland South America – contributing to biological and landscape diversity. This geographic area has supported human populations since at least the transition from the Pleistocene to Holocene, but the nature and scale of these interactions are matters of debate and their legacy to modern lowland environments is not fully understood. This book brings together works from distinct disciplines, including theoretical and methodological approaches on single case studies or broad regional syntheses, with no chronological constraint. The editors aim to generate a novel contribution reporting the most recent and ground-breaking research on human interactions with past environments and resources in lowland South America, from pre-Columbian to Colonial times. The volume also discusses the legacy of these past interactions and their potential contribution to informing current conservation and development agendas, providing examples of how archaeology and paleoecology can fill gaps in conservation and developmental policy. This volume will be of interest to students, archaeologists, and readers of Latin American studies.

Advances in Historical Ecology

Advances in Historical Ecology

Author: William L. Balée

Publisher: Columbia University Press

Published: 2012-09-18

Total Pages: 456

ISBN-13: 9780231533577

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Ecology is an attempt to understand the reciprocal relationship between living and nonliving elements of the earth. For years, however, the discipline either neglected the human element entirely or presumed its effect on natural ecosystems to be invariably negative. Among social scientists, notably in geography and anthropology, efforts to address this human-environment interaction have been criticized as deterministic and mechanistic. Bridging the divide between social and natural sciences, the contributors to this book use a more holistic perspective to explore the relationships between humans and their environment. Exploring short- and long-term local and global change, eighteen specialists in anthropology, geography, history, ethnobiology, and related disciplines present new perspectives on historical ecology. A broad theoretical background on the material factors central to the field is presented, such as anthropogenic fire, soils, and pathogens. A series of regional applications of this knowledge base investigates landscape transformations over time in South America, the Mississippi Delta, the Great Basin, Thailand, and India. The contributors focus on traditional societies where lands are most at risk from the incursions of complex, state-level societies. This book lays the groundwork for a more meaningful understanding of humankind's interaction with its biosphere. Scholars and environmental policymakers alike will appreciate this new critical vocabulary for grasping biocultural phenomena.


Book Synopsis Advances in Historical Ecology by : William L. Balée

Download or read book Advances in Historical Ecology written by William L. Balée and published by Columbia University Press. This book was released on 2012-09-18 with total page 456 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ecology is an attempt to understand the reciprocal relationship between living and nonliving elements of the earth. For years, however, the discipline either neglected the human element entirely or presumed its effect on natural ecosystems to be invariably negative. Among social scientists, notably in geography and anthropology, efforts to address this human-environment interaction have been criticized as deterministic and mechanistic. Bridging the divide between social and natural sciences, the contributors to this book use a more holistic perspective to explore the relationships between humans and their environment. Exploring short- and long-term local and global change, eighteen specialists in anthropology, geography, history, ethnobiology, and related disciplines present new perspectives on historical ecology. A broad theoretical background on the material factors central to the field is presented, such as anthropogenic fire, soils, and pathogens. A series of regional applications of this knowledge base investigates landscape transformations over time in South America, the Mississippi Delta, the Great Basin, Thailand, and India. The contributors focus on traditional societies where lands are most at risk from the incursions of complex, state-level societies. This book lays the groundwork for a more meaningful understanding of humankind's interaction with its biosphere. Scholars and environmental policymakers alike will appreciate this new critical vocabulary for grasping biocultural phenomena.

Time and Complexity in Historical Ecology

Time and Complexity in Historical Ecology

Author: William L. Balée

Publisher: Columbia University Press

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 434

ISBN-13: 0231135629

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An important contribution to the emerging field of historical ecology, this volume illuminates the ways in which the landscape reflects human history and culture. The book combines cutting-edge research with new perspectives on the effects of human societies on the neotropical lowlands of South and Central America.


Book Synopsis Time and Complexity in Historical Ecology by : William L. Balée

Download or read book Time and Complexity in Historical Ecology written by William L. Balée and published by Columbia University Press. This book was released on 2006 with total page 434 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An important contribution to the emerging field of historical ecology, this volume illuminates the ways in which the landscape reflects human history and culture. The book combines cutting-edge research with new perspectives on the effects of human societies on the neotropical lowlands of South and Central America.

Island, River, and Field

Island, River, and Field

Author: John H. Walker

Publisher: University of New Mexico Press

Published: 2018

Total Pages: 224

ISBN-13: 0826359469

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John H. Walker's innovative study of the Bolivian Amazon examines the agricultural landscape and analyzes the earthworks from an archaeological perspective.


Book Synopsis Island, River, and Field by : John H. Walker

Download or read book Island, River, and Field written by John H. Walker and published by University of New Mexico Press. This book was released on 2018 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: John H. Walker's innovative study of the Bolivian Amazon examines the agricultural landscape and analyzes the earthworks from an archaeological perspective.

The Archaeology and Historical Ecology of Small Scale Economies

The Archaeology and Historical Ecology of Small Scale Economies

Author: Victor D. Thompson

Publisher: University Press of Florida

Published: 2019-03-01

Total Pages: 250

ISBN-13: 0813063914

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Most research into humans' impact on the environment has focused on large-scale societies; a corollary assumption has been that small scale economies are sustainable and in harmony with nature. The contributors to this volume challenge this notion, revealing how such communities shaped their environment—and not always in a positive way. Offering case studies from around the world—from Brazil to Japan, Denmark to the Rocky Mountains—the chapters empirically demonstrate the substantial transformations of the surrounding landscape made by hunter-gatherer and limited horticultural societies. Summarizing previous research as well as presenting new data, this book shows that the environmental impact and legacy of societies are not always proportional their size. Understanding that our species leaves a footprint wherever it has been leads to both a better understanding of our prehistoric past and to deeper implications for our future relationship to the world around us.


Book Synopsis The Archaeology and Historical Ecology of Small Scale Economies by : Victor D. Thompson

Download or read book The Archaeology and Historical Ecology of Small Scale Economies written by Victor D. Thompson and published by University Press of Florida. This book was released on 2019-03-01 with total page 250 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Most research into humans' impact on the environment has focused on large-scale societies; a corollary assumption has been that small scale economies are sustainable and in harmony with nature. The contributors to this volume challenge this notion, revealing how such communities shaped their environment—and not always in a positive way. Offering case studies from around the world—from Brazil to Japan, Denmark to the Rocky Mountains—the chapters empirically demonstrate the substantial transformations of the surrounding landscape made by hunter-gatherer and limited horticultural societies. Summarizing previous research as well as presenting new data, this book shows that the environmental impact and legacy of societies are not always proportional their size. Understanding that our species leaves a footprint wherever it has been leads to both a better understanding of our prehistoric past and to deeper implications for our future relationship to the world around us.

Methods in Historical Ecology

Methods in Historical Ecology

Author: Guillaume Odonne

Publisher:

Published: 2020-10-12

Total Pages: 176

ISBN-13: 9780367182205

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This book presents some of the most recent tools, methods and concepts in historical ecology. It introduces students and researchers to state of the art techniques and showcases a wide array of methods dedicated to understanding the history of tropical landscapes. The chapters cover the detection and characterization of archaeological features, living organisms as witnesses of past human activities, ethno-ecological knowledge of ancient anthropogenic landscapes, and societal impacts of historical ecology. Whilst mainly based on Amazonian experiences, the contributions aim to strengthen synergies between disciplines and to propose solutions that can be applied elsewhere in the field.


Book Synopsis Methods in Historical Ecology by : Guillaume Odonne

Download or read book Methods in Historical Ecology written by Guillaume Odonne and published by . This book was released on 2020-10-12 with total page 176 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book presents some of the most recent tools, methods and concepts in historical ecology. It introduces students and researchers to state of the art techniques and showcases a wide array of methods dedicated to understanding the history of tropical landscapes. The chapters cover the detection and characterization of archaeological features, living organisms as witnesses of past human activities, ethno-ecological knowledge of ancient anthropogenic landscapes, and societal impacts of historical ecology. Whilst mainly based on Amazonian experiences, the contributions aim to strengthen synergies between disciplines and to propose solutions that can be applied elsewhere in the field.

Settlement Ecology of the Ancient Americas

Settlement Ecology of the Ancient Americas

Author: Lucas C. Kellett

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2016-10-04

Total Pages: 320

ISBN-13: 131736967X

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In this exciting new volume several leading researchers use settlement ecology, an emerging approach to the study of archaeological settlements, to examine the spatial arrangement of prehistoric settlement patterns across the Americas. Positioned at the intersection of geography, human ecology, anthropology, economics and archaeology, this diverse collection showcases successful applications of the settlement ecology approach in archaeological studies and also discusses associated techniques such as GIS, remote sensing and statistical and modeling applications. Using these methodological advancements the contributors investigate the specific social, cultural and environmental factors which mediated the placement and arrangement of different sites. Of particular relevance to scholars of landscape and settlement archaeology, Settlement Ecology of the Ancient Americas provides fresh insights not only into past societies, but also present and future populations in a rapidly changing world.


Book Synopsis Settlement Ecology of the Ancient Americas by : Lucas C. Kellett

Download or read book Settlement Ecology of the Ancient Americas written by Lucas C. Kellett and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2016-10-04 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this exciting new volume several leading researchers use settlement ecology, an emerging approach to the study of archaeological settlements, to examine the spatial arrangement of prehistoric settlement patterns across the Americas. Positioned at the intersection of geography, human ecology, anthropology, economics and archaeology, this diverse collection showcases successful applications of the settlement ecology approach in archaeological studies and also discusses associated techniques such as GIS, remote sensing and statistical and modeling applications. Using these methodological advancements the contributors investigate the specific social, cultural and environmental factors which mediated the placement and arrangement of different sites. Of particular relevance to scholars of landscape and settlement archaeology, Settlement Ecology of the Ancient Americas provides fresh insights not only into past societies, but also present and future populations in a rapidly changing world.

Issues and Concepts in Historical Ecology

Issues and Concepts in Historical Ecology

Author: Carole L. Crumley

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2018

Total Pages: 347

ISBN-13: 1108420982

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This book presents a practical, holistic research framework to help us both understand our past and build an appealing human future.


Book Synopsis Issues and Concepts in Historical Ecology by : Carole L. Crumley

Download or read book Issues and Concepts in Historical Ecology written by Carole L. Crumley and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2018 with total page 347 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book presents a practical, holistic research framework to help us both understand our past and build an appealing human future.

Handbook of South American Archaeology

Handbook of South American Archaeology

Author: Helaine Silverman

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-04-06

Total Pages: 1172

ISBN-13: 0387749071

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Perhaps the contributions of South American archaeology to the larger field of world archaeology have been inadequately recognized. If so, this is probably because there have been relatively few archaeologists working in South America outside of Peru and recent advances in knowledge in other parts of the continent are only beginning to enter larger archaeological discourse. Many ideas of and about South American archaeology held by scholars from outside the area are going to change irrevocably with the appearance of the present volume. Not only does the Handbook of South American Archaeology (HSAA) provide immense and broad information about ancient South America, the volume also showcases the contributions made by South Americans to social theory. Moreover, one of the merits of this volume is that about half the authors (30) are South Americans, and the bibliographies in their chapters will be especially useful guides to Spanish and Portuguese literature as well as to the latest research. It is inevitable that the HSAA will be compared with the multi-volume Handbook of South American Indians (HSAI), with its detailed descriptions of indigenous peoples of South America, that was organized and edited by Julian Steward. Although there are heroic archaeological essays in the HSAI, by the likes of Junius Bird, Gordon Willey, John Rowe, and John Murra, Steward states frankly in his introduction to Volume Two that “arch- ology is included by way of background” to the ethnographic chapters.


Book Synopsis Handbook of South American Archaeology by : Helaine Silverman

Download or read book Handbook of South American Archaeology written by Helaine Silverman and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2008-04-06 with total page 1172 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Perhaps the contributions of South American archaeology to the larger field of world archaeology have been inadequately recognized. If so, this is probably because there have been relatively few archaeologists working in South America outside of Peru and recent advances in knowledge in other parts of the continent are only beginning to enter larger archaeological discourse. Many ideas of and about South American archaeology held by scholars from outside the area are going to change irrevocably with the appearance of the present volume. Not only does the Handbook of South American Archaeology (HSAA) provide immense and broad information about ancient South America, the volume also showcases the contributions made by South Americans to social theory. Moreover, one of the merits of this volume is that about half the authors (30) are South Americans, and the bibliographies in their chapters will be especially useful guides to Spanish and Portuguese literature as well as to the latest research. It is inevitable that the HSAA will be compared with the multi-volume Handbook of South American Indians (HSAI), with its detailed descriptions of indigenous peoples of South America, that was organized and edited by Julian Steward. Although there are heroic archaeological essays in the HSAI, by the likes of Junius Bird, Gordon Willey, John Rowe, and John Murra, Steward states frankly in his introduction to Volume Two that “arch- ology is included by way of background” to the ethnographic chapters.

The Oxford Handbook of Historical Ecology and Applied Archaeology

The Oxford Handbook of Historical Ecology and Applied Archaeology

Author: Christian Isendahl

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2019-01-10

Total Pages: 576

ISBN-13: 0191653330

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The Oxford Handbook of Historical Ecology and Applied Archaeology presents theoretical discussions, methodological outlines, and case-studies describing the field of overlap between historical ecology and the emerging sub-discipline of applied archaeology to highlight how modern environments and landscapes have been shaped by humans. Historical ecology is based on the recognition that humans are not only capable of modifying their environments, but that all environments on earth have already been directly or indirectly modified. This includes anthropogenic climate change, widespread deforestations, and species extinctions, but also very local alterations, the effects of which may last a few years, or may have legacies lasting centuries or more. With contributions from anthropologists, archaeologists, human geographers, and historians, this volume focuses not just on defining human impacts in the past, but on the ways that understanding these changes can help inform contemporary practices and development policies. Some chapters present examples of how ancient or current societies have modified their environments in sustainable ways, while others highlight practices that had unintended long-term consequences. The possibilities of learning from these practices are discussed, as is the potential of using the long history of human resource exploitation as a method for building or testing models of future change. The volume offers overviews for students, researchers, and professionals with an interest in conservation or development projects who want to understand what practical insights can be drawn from history, and who seek to apply their work to contemporary issues.


Book Synopsis The Oxford Handbook of Historical Ecology and Applied Archaeology by : Christian Isendahl

Download or read book The Oxford Handbook of Historical Ecology and Applied Archaeology written by Christian Isendahl and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2019-01-10 with total page 576 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Oxford Handbook of Historical Ecology and Applied Archaeology presents theoretical discussions, methodological outlines, and case-studies describing the field of overlap between historical ecology and the emerging sub-discipline of applied archaeology to highlight how modern environments and landscapes have been shaped by humans. Historical ecology is based on the recognition that humans are not only capable of modifying their environments, but that all environments on earth have already been directly or indirectly modified. This includes anthropogenic climate change, widespread deforestations, and species extinctions, but also very local alterations, the effects of which may last a few years, or may have legacies lasting centuries or more. With contributions from anthropologists, archaeologists, human geographers, and historians, this volume focuses not just on defining human impacts in the past, but on the ways that understanding these changes can help inform contemporary practices and development policies. Some chapters present examples of how ancient or current societies have modified their environments in sustainable ways, while others highlight practices that had unintended long-term consequences. The possibilities of learning from these practices are discussed, as is the potential of using the long history of human resource exploitation as a method for building or testing models of future change. The volume offers overviews for students, researchers, and professionals with an interest in conservation or development projects who want to understand what practical insights can be drawn from history, and who seek to apply their work to contemporary issues.