Environmental History of the Susquehanna Valley Around the Time of European Contact

Abstract

Historic and prehistoric archaeology can contribute to an overall understanding of the environmental history of any region. Archaeological excavation often provides direct environmental data in the form of animal and plant remains (such as bones, pollen, seeds) and indirect data through the documentation of land-use patterns (evidence of agricultural and/or horticultural cultivation, hunting and fishing practices, style and extent of architectural constructions, and so on). These data allow archaeologists to study how past cultures and landscapes impacted each other, often leading to unexpected results.