Amazonia: Man and Culture in a Counterfeit Paradise, Revised EditionWhen first published in 1971, Amazonia was a pioneering contribution to the emerging field of cultural ecology. Betty Meggers argued that the Amazon's luxurious vegetation concealed significant limitations for human exploitation, placing a ceiling on pre-Columbian population density and social complexity. This controversial view has implications for academic anthropology and also relates to the modern development of Amazonia, including attempts to introduce sustainable methods of intensive exploitation. Amazonia in this revised new edition includes recent biological and climatic data. Ethnographic and archaeological evidence reemphasize the complexity of the ecosystem and broaden our understanding of past and present sophisticated adaptations among indigenous groups. |
Contents
Aboriginal Adaptation to the Terra Firme | 39 |
Adaptive Aspects of Terra Firme Culture | 97 |
Aboriginal Adaptation to the Várzea | 121 |
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aboriginal abundant activities adaptation adult agricultural Amazon Amazonia animals annual appears become begins behavior biological boys Camayurá ceremonies characteristics chief child clearing climate concentration consequently consumed continue crops cultural death effects environment existence exploitation feet fish five forest fruits ground groups hammocks household human hunting important increase individuals Jívaro Kayapó kinds lakes land less lowlands maize major male manioc months natural nutrients nuts observe occur Omagua organization ornaments pattern percent period person plants population potential practices principal productivity rain rainfall region relative remain result Rio Negro river season selection settlement significant similar social soil species spirits subsistence supply sweet takes terra firme tion trade trees tribes tropical turtles várzea vegetation village Waiwai warfare wild women