Soils, climate & society: archaeological investigations in ancient America
Date
2013
Authors
Wingard, John D., editor
Hayes, Sue Eileen, editor
University Press of Colorado, publisher
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
Much recent archaeological research focuses on social forces as the impetus for cultural change. Soils, Climate, and Society, however, focuses on the complex relationship between human populations and the physical environment, particularly the land--the foundation of agricultural production and, by extension, of agricultural peoples. This volume traces the sociocultural implications of agriculture, agriculture's effects on population, and the theory of carrying capacity, considering the relation of agriculture to the profound social changes that it wrought in the New World. Soil science plays a significant, though varied, role in each case study and is the common component of each analysis. Contributors use information derived from dendrochronology, ground-penetrating radar, soil chemistry, and meteorological records, along with a variety of analytical techniques and computer simulations to determine the amount of food that can be produced in a particular soil and the effects of occupation and cultivation on that soil. They also consider the resulting consequences for future cultivators. Soils, Climate, and Society demonstrates that renewed investigation of agricultural production and demography can answer questions about the past, as well as stimulate further research. It will be of interest to scholars of archaeology, historical ecology and geography, and agricultural history.--Provided by publisher.
Description
Rights Access
Access is limited to the Adams State University, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, Colorado State University Pueblo, Fort Lewis College, Metropolitan State University of Denver, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, University of Colorado Denver, University of Denver, University of Northern Colorado, University of Wyoming, Utah State University, and Western Colorado University members only.
Subject
Indians -- Agriculture
Soil science in archaeology -- America
Human ecology -- America
Agriculture, Prehistoric -- America