Chapter 4 - Mid-Holocene climate and cultural dynamics in Brazil and the Guianas

Abstract

This chapter reviews the climatic and cultural dynamics in the Brazilian and Guyana and Surinam (Guianas) regions. Paleoclimatological evidence indicates that both Amazonia and the Brazilian coast were cooler and drier prior to ca. 7000 14C yr BP. In both regions, the forest was substantially reduced and the predominant vegetation was grass and shrubs as a result of climatic changes. These ameliorations permitted larger and more sedentary communities, but inherent limitations to intensive agriculture and dependence on wild protein sources placed a ceiling on population concentration throughout the lowlands. This study summarizes the evidence for paleoclimatological fluctuations and prehistoric cultural changes since ca. 13,000 14C yr BP (uncal.) separately for the Coastal Strip and the Amazon Basin. Both the climatological and cultural data indicate that these now distinct regions experienced long- and short-term environmental fluctuations during and since the Pleistocene that favored the emergence and perpetuation of similar general cultural configurations. The achievement of Holocene climatic conditions and stabilization of sea level ca. 5000 14C yr BP had major environmental consequences. It created an ecological barrier between Amazonia and the Coastal Strip and divided each region into a narrow aquatic zone and a large hinterland. Finally, it suggests that in contrast to other parts of the planet, Holocene climatic changes did not significantly improve the opportunities for agricultural intensification and associated cultural development.