Sparse pre-Columbian human habitation in western Amazonia

McMichael, C. H., Piperno, D. R., Bush, M. B., Silman, M. R., Zimmerman, A. R., Raczka, M. F. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6602-8087 and Lobato, L. C. (2012) Sparse pre-Columbian human habitation in western Amazonia. Science, 336 (6087). pp. 1429-1431. ISSN 0036-8075 doi: 10.1126/science.1219982

Abstract/Summary

Locally extensive pre-Columbian human occupation and modification occurred in the forests of the central and eastern Amazon Basin, but whether comparable impacts extend westward and into the vast terra firme (interfluvial) zones, remains unclear. We analyzed soils from 55 sites across central and western Amazonia to assess the history of human occupation. Sparse occurrences of charcoal and the lack of phytoliths from agricultural and disturbance species in the soils during pre-Columbian times indicated that human impacts on interfluvial forests were small, infrequent, and highly localized. No human artifacts or modified soils were found at any site surveyed. Riverine bluff areas also appeared less heavily occupied and disturbed than similar settings elsewhere. Our data indicate that human impacts on Amazonian forests were heterogeneous across this vast landscape.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/89914
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	No Reading authors. Back catalogue items Science > School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science > Department of Geography and Environmental Science
Publisher	American Association for the Advancement of Science
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