Posted on 07/29/2018 3:42:07 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Genetic analysis of plant species has long pointed to the lowlands of southwest Amazonia as a key region in the early history of plant domestication in the Americas, but systematic archaeological evidence to support this has been rare. The new evidence comes from recently-exposed layers of the Teotonio archaeological site, which has been described by researchers as a "microcosm of human occupation of the Upper Madeira [River]" because it preserves a nearly continuous record of human cultures going back approximately 9,000 years.
In this study, Watling and colleagues analyzed the remains of seeds, phytoliths, and other plant materials in the most ancient soils of the site as well as on artifacts used for processing food. They found some of the earliest evidence of cultivated manioc, a crop which geneticists say was domesticated here over 8,000 years ago, as well as squash, beans, and perhaps calathea, and important tree crops such as palms and Brazil nut. They also saw evidence of disturbed forest and a soil type called "Anthropogenic Dark Earths" which both result from human alteration of local environments.
These findings suggest that the people of this region transitioned from early hunter-gatherer lifestyles to cultivating crops before 6,000 years ago, much earlier than previously thought.
(Excerpt) Read more at popular-archaeology.com ...
The authors believe that the Teotonio waterfall is what attracted people to this location for over 9,000 years, as it was an extremely rich fishing location and an obligatory stopping point for people traveling by boat on this stretch of the Madeira river. It was the location of a fishing village (the village of Teotonio) until 2011, when residents were forced to move inland ahead of dam construction. The dam submersed the village and the waterfall. Eduardo Neves, 2011
there’s a lot of this kind research on display Charles Mann’s great book called 1491 about pre-Columbian america.
“Anthropogenic Dark Earths”.
I am trying to make this for my garden beds.
I have two 20 pound bags of organic lump charcoal that I will add to rotting leaves and soil in a compost pile.
Is there how to manual?
Cool
Yes, it is sometimes called Terra Preta in Brazilian Portuguese or Biochar in English.
https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/making-biochar-improve-soil-zmaz09fmzraw
Thanks, I’m going to look into it!
Those three keywords, sorted, duplicates out, some garbage topics out:
Ancient Hearths Test Carbon Dating (Humans In Brazil 56K+ Years Ago)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
