Prehistoric America

An Ecological Perspective

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Biological Sciences, Ecology, History
Cover of the book Prehistoric America by Betty Meggers, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Betty Meggers ISBN: 9781351496988
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: July 5, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Betty Meggers
ISBN: 9781351496988
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: July 5, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

During the past 30 years, the relationship between humans and the environment has changed more drastically than during any previous period in human history. Local sustainable exploitation of natural resources has been overridden by global interests indifferent to the detrimental impact of their activities on local environments and their inhabitants. Increasingly efficient technology has reduced the need for human labor, but improved medical treatment favors reproduction and survival, creating a growing imbalance between population density and food supply. Rapid transportation is introducing alien species to distant terrestrial and aquatic environments, where they displace critical elements in the local food chain.This succinct and profusely illustrated volume applies evolutionary and cultural theory to the interpretation of prehistoric cultural development in the western hemisphere. After reviewing cultural development in Mesoamerica and the central Andes, Meggers examines adaptation in North and South American regions with similar environments to evaluate the influence of adaptive constraints on cultural content.What made the human species dominant on the planet is the substitution of cultural behavior for biological behavior. Prehistoric Americans applied this ability to develop sustainable relationships with their environments. Many succeeded and others did not. Paleoclimatic reconstructions can be compared with archeological sequences and ethnographic descriptions to identify cultural behavior responsible for the difference. Comparison of the responses of Amazonians and Mayans to episodes of severe drought provides useful insights into what we are doing wrong.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

During the past 30 years, the relationship between humans and the environment has changed more drastically than during any previous period in human history. Local sustainable exploitation of natural resources has been overridden by global interests indifferent to the detrimental impact of their activities on local environments and their inhabitants. Increasingly efficient technology has reduced the need for human labor, but improved medical treatment favors reproduction and survival, creating a growing imbalance between population density and food supply. Rapid transportation is introducing alien species to distant terrestrial and aquatic environments, where they displace critical elements in the local food chain.This succinct and profusely illustrated volume applies evolutionary and cultural theory to the interpretation of prehistoric cultural development in the western hemisphere. After reviewing cultural development in Mesoamerica and the central Andes, Meggers examines adaptation in North and South American regions with similar environments to evaluate the influence of adaptive constraints on cultural content.What made the human species dominant on the planet is the substitution of cultural behavior for biological behavior. Prehistoric Americans applied this ability to develop sustainable relationships with their environments. Many succeeded and others did not. Paleoclimatic reconstructions can be compared with archeological sequences and ethnographic descriptions to identify cultural behavior responsible for the difference. Comparison of the responses of Amazonians and Mayans to episodes of severe drought provides useful insights into what we are doing wrong.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book History of Linguistics Vol III by Betty Meggers
Cover of the book Clinical Neuropsychological Foundations of Schizophrenia by Betty Meggers
Cover of the book The Projectification of the Public Sector by Betty Meggers
Cover of the book The Insecure Workforce by Betty Meggers
Cover of the book Ethnography and Language Policy by Betty Meggers
Cover of the book Judging a Book by Its Cover by Betty Meggers
Cover of the book Psychodrama and Systemic Therapy by Betty Meggers
Cover of the book Student Activism and Curricular Change in Higher Education by Betty Meggers
Cover of the book British and Japanese Military Leadership in the Far Eastern War, 1941-45 by Betty Meggers
Cover of the book National Security by Betty Meggers
Cover of the book Guarding the Guardians by Betty Meggers
Cover of the book A Social History of the English Countryside by Betty Meggers
Cover of the book Look Back in Gender (Routledge Revivals) by Betty Meggers
Cover of the book Raymond Williams on Television (Routledge Revivals) by Betty Meggers
Cover of the book HRD Trends Worldwide by Betty Meggers
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy