Dark Earth plant management in the Lower Tapajos
The highly fertile Amazonian Dark Earths (ADE) results from landscape transformations found in association with archaeological sites throughout Amazonia. In the Lower Tapajos region, ADEs are found in ancient TapajoÌ settlements dated to the Late Pre-Columbian period (AD 1000-1600). This research focuses on plant management associated with the regional formation of ADE. Three ADE sites are analysed for microbotanical remains. Phytolith and microcharcoal (< 125ÎŒm) from test pits and excavation profiles reveal diverse plant-use including food and non-food plants. Geochemical data indicated a variety of formations processes intra-site. The inter-site comparison indicated a gradiente of vegetation change related with the formation of ADEs. Aditionally, small changes folloed the adoption of cultigens together with ADE formation. These data suggest the practice of polyculture agroforestry in the investigated sites.
Alves, Daiana Travassos
Amazonian Dark Earths ; Lower Tapajos ; Lower Amazon ; Tapajo Culture ; Archaeobotany ; Phytoliths
Dark Earth plant management in the Lower Tapajos. The highly fertile Amazonian Dark Earths (ADE) results from landscape transformations found in association with archaeological sites throughout Amazonia. In the Lower Tapajos region, ADEs are found in ancient TapajoÌ settlements dated to the Late Pre-Columbian period (AD 1000-1600). This research focuses on plant management associated with the regional formation of ADE. Three ADE sites are analysed for microbotanical remains. Phytolith and microcharcoal (< 125ÎŒm) from test pits and excavation profiles reveal diverse plant-use including food and non-food plants. Geochemical data indicated a variety of formations processes intra-site. The inter-site comparison indicated a gradiente of vegetation change related with the formation of ADEs. Aditionally, small changes folloed the adoption of cultigens together with ADE formation. These data suggest the practice of polyculture agroforestry in the investigated sites.
dark earth plant management lower highly fertile amazonian dark landscape transformation find association archaeological_site throughout lower region find ancient settlement date late_pre period_ad focus plant management associate regional formation site analyse remains phytolith test pit excavation profile reveal diverse plant_use include food non food plant geochemical data_indicate variety formation_process intra_site inter_site comparison indicate vegetation_change relate formation small change adoption together formation data suggest practice investigate site