A arqueologia do rio Napo: notícias recentes e desafios futuros

La arqueología del río Napo fue inicialmente conocida a través de los trabajos pioneros de Clifford Evans y Betty Meggers en territorio ecuatoriano. Estas investigaciones permitieron la formulación de una secuencia cerámica que aún continúa siendo la columna vertebral de nuestra comprensión arqueológica de la región. Sin embargo, nuevos datos arqueológicos han mejorado la reconstrucción del proceso de ocupación humana de la región en la época pre-colonial. Entre ellos se cuentan observaciones derivadas de la actividad coleccionista de misioneros, nuevas informaciones producidas por la arqueología de contrato en Ecuador y recientes datos producidos por investigaciones arqueológicas en el territorio peruano de la cuenca. En este artículo se sintetiza la información referida, se discuten los aspectos tecno-estilísticos de la cerámica arqueológica de la región, se presentan nuevos datos arqueológicos que evidencian ocupaciones de la fase Napo a lo largo de todo el curso del río por tierras bajas, y se evalúa el estado de avance del conocimiento de las ocupaciones pre-coloniales de la cuenca del río Napo.The archaeology of the Napo River initially became known through the pioneering work of Clifford Evans and Betty Meggers in Ecuador. These investigations led to the formulation of a ceramic sequence that continues to be the backbone of archaeological understandings in the region. During the last decades, however, new archaeological data have refined our understanding of the precolonial process of human occupation in the region. These data comprise, observations derived from collecting activity of missionaries, new information produced through contract archaeology in Ecuador, and recent archaeological survey data from the Peruvian territory of the basin, among others. In this article we summarize these archaeological observations, discuss techno-stylistic aspects of the archaeological ceramics of the region, present new archaeological evidence suggesting Napo phase occupations existed along the entire lowland Napo river, and assess the current state of our knowledge on precolonial occupations of the Napo River basin.A arqueologia do rio Napo foi inicialmente conhecida por meio dos trabalhos pioneiros de Clifford Evans e Betty Meggers em território equatoriano. Essas pesquisas permitiram a formulação de uma seqüência cerâmica que continua sendo a espinha dorsal de nossa compreensão arqueológica da região. No entanto, novos dados arqueológicos melhoraram a reconstrução do processo de ocupação humana da região na era pré-colonial. Entre eles estão observações derivadas da atividade de coleta de missionários, novas informações produzidas pela arqueologia de contrato no Equador e dados recentes produzidos por pesquisas arqueológicas no território peruano da bacia. Neste artigo, a referida informação é sintetizada, são discutidos os aspectos tecno-estilísticos da cerâmica arqueológica da região, são apresentados novos dados arqueológicos que mostram as ocupações da fase Napo ao longo de todo o curso do rio por terras baixas, e se avalia o estado de avanço do conhecimento das ocupações pré-coloniais da bacia do rio Napo.Dossier: Arqueología y ríos de las Tierras Bajas de América del Sur.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

A arqueologia do rio Napo: notícias recentes e desafios futuros

La arqueología del río Napo fue inicialmente conocida a través de los trabajos pioneros de Clifford Evans y Betty Meggers en territorio ecuatoriano. Estas investigaciones permitieron la formulación de una secuencia cerámica que aún continúa siendo la columna vertebral de nuestra comprensión arqueológica de la región. Sin embargo, nuevos datos arqueológicos han mejorado la reconstrucción del proceso de ocupación humana de la región en la época pre-colonial. Entre ellos se cuentan observaciones derivadas de la actividad coleccionista de misioneros, nuevas informaciones producidas por la arqueología de contrato en Ecuador y recientes datos producidos por investigaciones arqueológicas en el territorio peruano de la cuenca. En este artículo se sintetiza la información referida, se discuten los aspectos tecno-estilísticos de la cerámica arqueológica de la región, se presentan nuevos datos arqueológicos que evidencian ocupaciones de la fase Napo a lo largo de todo el curso del río por tierras bajas, y se evalúa el estado de avance del conocimiento de las ocupaciones pre-coloniales de la cuenca del río Napo.The archaeology of the Napo River initially became known through the pioneering work of Clifford Evans and Betty Meggers in Ecuador. These investigations led to the formulation of a ceramic sequence that continues to be the backbone of archaeological understandings in the region. During the last decades, however, new archaeological data have refined our understanding of the precolonial process of human occupation in the region. These data comprise, observations derived from collecting activity of missionaries, new information produced through contract archaeology in Ecuador, and recent archaeological survey data from the Peruvian territory of the basin, among others. In this article we summarize these archaeological observations, discuss techno-stylistic aspects of the archaeological ceramics of the region, present new archaeological evidence suggesting Napo phase occupations existed along the entire lowland Napo river, and assess the current state of our knowledge on precolonial occupations of the Napo River basin.A arqueologia do rio Napo foi inicialmente conhecida por meio dos trabalhos pioneiros de Clifford Evans e Betty Meggers em território equatoriano. Essas pesquisas permitiram a formulação de uma seqüência cerâmica que continua sendo a espinha dorsal de nossa compreensão arqueológica da região. No entanto, novos dados arqueológicos melhoraram a reconstrução do processo de ocupação humana da região na era pré-colonial. Entre eles estão observações derivadas da atividade de coleta de missionários, novas informações produzidas pela arqueologia de contrato no Equador e dados recentes produzidos por pesquisas arqueológicas no território peruano da bacia. Neste artigo, a referida informação é sintetizada, são discutidos os aspectos tecno-estilísticos da cerâmica arqueológica da região, são apresentados novos dados arqueológicos que mostram as ocupações da fase Napo ao longo de todo o curso do rio por terras baixas, e se avalia o estado de avanço do conhecimento das ocupações pré-coloniais da bacia do rio Napo.Dossier: Arqueología y ríos de las Tierras Bajas de América del Sur.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

The Amazonian Formative: Crop Domestication and Anthropogenic Soils

The emergence of sedentism and agriculture in Amazonia continues to sit uncomfortably within accounts of South American pre-Columbian history. This is partially because deep-seated models were formulated when only ceramic evidence was known, partly because newer data continue to defy simple explanations, and partially because many discussions continue to ignore evidence of pre-Columbian anthropogenic landscape transformations. This paper presents the results of recent geoarchaeological research on Amazonian anthropogenic soils. It advances the argument that properties of two different types of soils, terras pretas and terras mulatas, support their interpretation as correlates of, respectively, past settlement areas and fields where spatially-intensive, organic amendment-reliant cultivation took place. This assessment identifies anthropogenic soil formation as a hallmark of the Amazonian Formative and prompts questions about when similar forms of enrichment first appear in the Amazon basin. The paper reviews evidence for embryonic anthrosol formation to highlight its significance for understanding the domestication of a key Amazonian crop: manioc (Manihot esculenta ssp. esculenta). A model for manioc domestication that incorporates anthropogenic soils outlines some scenarios which link the distribution of its two broader varieties—sweet and bitter manioc—with the widespread appearance of Amazonian anthropogenic dark earths during the first millennium AD

Intentional creation of carbon-rich dark earth soils in the Amazon

Fertile soil known as Amazonian dark earth is central to the debate over the size and ecological impact of ancient human populations in the Amazon. Dark earth is typically associated with human occupation, but it is uncertain whether it was created intentionally. Dark earth may also be a substantial carbon sink, but its spatial extent and carbon inventory are unknown. We demonstrate spatial and compositional similarities between ancient and modern dark earth and document modern Indigenous practices that enrich soil, which we use to propose a model for the formation of ancient dark earth. This comparison suggests that ancient Amazonians managed soil to improve fertility and increase crop productivity. These practices also sequestered and stored carbon in the soil for centuries, and we show that some ancient sites contain as much carbon as the above-ground rainforest biomass. Our results demonstrate the intentional creation of dark earth and highlight the value of Indigenous knowledge for sustainable rainforest management

Déclaration sur l’approche par l’archéologie sociale du changement climatique

Manifiesto sobre Arqueología Social del Cambio Climático aprobado en la Cumbre SACC celebrada en Kiel. Aprobado y firmado el 6 de septiembre de 2021.[ES] El SACC es un grupo independiente, constituido en Kiel, de investigadores e investigadoras que trabajan sobre cambio climático. El objetivo de SACC es reunir científicos y científicas internacionales y representantes de importantes organizaciones internacionales de las áreas de arqueología, paleoecología y gestión del patrimonio para con el fin de discutir y evaluar la contribución de la investigación arqueológica y paleo-ecológica para comprender la interrelación entre el cambio social, el cultural, el ecológico y el climático. Pretendemos resaltar cómo la arqueología, a través del estudio de la conducta adaptativa en el pasado, es capaz de reforzar tanto la resiliencia socio-ecológica de nuestras sociedades, como su capacidad adaptativa ante el actual cambio climático. Además, pretendemos contribuir a la comprensión del impacto del cambio climático en los yacimientos y sitios arqueológicos y patrimoniales, así como en los paisajes culturales, los museos, las colecciones y archivos patrimoniales. SACC celebrará cumbres cada dos años y emitirá una declaración o manifiesto al término de cada una de ellas. S ACC está organizada por un comité interino presidido por las personas convocantes del SACC 1.[EN] SACC is an independent group of researchers working on climate change in the past constituted in Kiel. The aim of SACC is to bring together international scientists and representatives of important international organisations in the fields of archaeology, paleoecology and heritage management to discuss and evaluate the contribution of archaeological and paleo-ecological research to understand the link between social, cultural, ecological and climatic change; and to highlight how archaeology, through the study of past adaptive behaviour, is able to enhance socio-ecological resilience of societies as well as their adaptive capacity to current climate change; furthermore, to contribute to the understanding of the impact of climate change on archaeological and heritage sites as well as on cultural landscapes, museums, collections, and archives. SACC will hold its summit every second year with a declaration at the end of each summit. SACC is organized by a steering committee chaired by the SACC 1 organisers.[FR] Le SACC est un groupe indépendant de chercheurs travaillant sur le changement climatique dans le passé, qui s’est formé à Kiel. L’objectif du S ACC est de réunir des scientifiques internationaux et des représentants d’organisations internationales importantes dans les domaines de l’archéologie, de la paléoécologie et de la gestion du patrimoine. Il a pour objectif de discuter et d’évaluer la contribution de la recherche archéologique et paléo-écologique à la compréhension du lien entre les changements sociaux, culturels, écologiques et climatiques et de souligner comment l’archéologie, par l’étude du comportement adaptatif du passé, est capable d’améliorer la résilience socioécologique des sociétés ainsi que leur capacité d’adaptation au changement climatique actuel. En outre, il contribue à la compréhension de l’impact du changement climatique sur les sites archéologiques et patrimoniaux ainsi que sur les paysages culturels, les musées, les collections et les archives. Le SACC tiendra son conseil tous les deux ans avec une déclaration à la fin de chaque conseil. Il est organisé par un comité de pilotage présidé par les organisateurs de SACC 1.Peer reviewe

Mapping past human land use using archaeological data: A new classification for global land use synthesis and data harmonization

In the 12,000 years preceding the Industrial Revolution, human activities led to significant changes in land cover, plant and animal distributions, surface hydrology, and biochemical cycles. Earth system models suggest that this anthropogenic land cover change influenced regional and global climate. However, the representation of past land use in earth system models is currently oversimplified. As a result, there are large uncertainties in the current understanding of the past and current state of the earth system. In order to improve repre- sentation of the variety and scale of impacts that past land use had on the earth system, a global effort is underway to aggregate and synthesize archaeological and historical evi- dence of land use systems. Here we present a simple, hierarchical classification of land use systems designed to be used with archaeological and historical data at a global scale and a schema of codes that identify land use practices common to a range of systems, both imple- mented in a geospatial database. The classification scheme and database resulted from an extensive process of consultation with researchers worldwide. Our scheme is designed to deliver consistent, empirically robust data for the improvement of land use models, while simultaneously allowing for a comparative, detailed mapping of land use relevant to the needs of historical scholars. To illustrate the benefits of the classification scheme and meth- ods for mapping historical land use, we apply it to Mesopotamia and Arabia at 6 kya (c. 4000 BCE). The scheme will be used to describe land use by the Past Global Changes (PAGES) LandCover6k working group, an international project comprised of archaeologists, historians, geographers, paleoecologists, and modelers. Beyond this, the scheme has a wide utility for creating a common language between research and policy communities, link- ing archaeologists with climate modelers, biodiversity conservation workers and initiatives.publishedVersio

Mapping past human land use using archaeological data: A new classification for global land use synthesis and data harmonization.

In the 12,000 years preceding the Industrial Revolution, human activities led to significant changes in land cover, plant and animal distributions, surface hydrology, and biochemical cycles. Earth system models suggest that this anthropogenic land cover change influenced regional and global climate. However, the representation of past land use in earth system models is currently oversimplified. As a result, there are large uncertainties in the current understanding of the past and current state of the earth system. In order to improve representation of the variety and scale of impacts that past land use had on the earth system, a global effort is underway to aggregate and synthesize archaeological and historical evidence of land use systems. Here we present a simple, hierarchical classification of land use systems designed to be used with archaeological and historical data at a global scale and a schema of codes that identify land use practices common to a range of systems, both implemented in a geospatial database. The classification scheme and database resulted from an extensive process of consultation with researchers worldwide. Our scheme is designed to deliver consistent, empirically robust data for the improvement of land use models, while simultaneously allowing for a comparative, detailed mapping of land use relevant to the needs of historical scholars. To illustrate the benefits of the classification scheme and methods for mapping historical land use, we apply it to Mesopotamia and Arabia at 6 kya (c. 4000 BCE). The scheme will be used to describe land use by the Past Global Changes (PAGES) LandCover6k working group, an international project comprised of archaeologists, historians, geographers, paleoecologists, and modelers. Beyond this, the scheme has a wide utility for creating a common language between research and policy communities, linking archaeologists with climate modelers, biodiversity conservation workers and initiatives

Mapping past human land use using archaeological data: A new classification for global land use synthesis and data harmonization

In the 12,000 years preceding the Industrial Revolution, human activities led to significant changes in land cover, plant and animal distributions, surface hydrology, and biochemical cycles. Earth system models suggest that this anthropogenic land cover change influenced regional and global climate. However, the representation of past land use in earth system models is currently oversimplified. As a result, there are large uncertainties in the current understanding of the past and current state of the earth system. In order to improve representation of the variety and scale of impacts that past land use had on the earth system, a global effort is underway to aggregate and synthesize archaeological and historical evidence of land use systems. Here we present a simple, hierarchical classification of land use systems designed to be used with archaeological and historical data at a global scale and a schema of codes that identify land use practices common to a range of systems, both implemented in a geospatial database. The classification scheme and database resulted from an extensive process of consultation with researchers worldwide. Our scheme is designed to deliver consistent, empirically robust data for the improvement of land use models, while simultaneously allowing for a comparative, detailed mapping of land use relevant to the needs of historical scholars. To illustrate the benefits of the classification scheme and methods for mapping historical land use, we apply it to Mesopotamia and Arabia at 6 kya (c. 4000 BCE). The scheme will be used to describe land use by the Past Global Changes (PAGES) LandCover6k working group, an international project comprised of archaeologists, historians, geographers, paleoecologists, and modelers. Beyond this, the scheme has a wide utility for creating a common language between research and policy communities, linking archaeologists with climate modelers, biodiversity conservation workers and initiatives

Evidence confirms an anthropic origin of Amazonian Dark Earths.

Arising from: Silva et al. Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-20184-2 (2021