Abstract
Hypotheses concerning climatic change during the Amazonian Holocene often assume that the presence of ancient charcoal from forest fires indicates periods of drier climate in the past. These theories, however, neglect the possibility that such charcoal may result from early human activity. This article presents new evidence of anthropogenic ash and charcoal accumulation in the state of Acre, Brazil, dating back toc. 10 000 cal BP, which questions the value of charcoal as a proxy for phases of natural climate aridification. Carbon isotope (δ13C) values also suggest no significant changes in Holocene climate or vegetation. If these results are confirmed, previous studies on Amazonian Holocene climate will require re-evaluation.
Highlights
The discovery of hundreds of geometrical earthworks with an associated system of roads in the state of Acre, Brazil, has been labelled the “the most recent and dramatic discovery” in Amazonian archaeology (Mann 2008: 1148)
Together with similar discoveries in the Lower Amazon, Central Amazonia, Xingu, and Mojos and Baures in Bolivia, the Acre geoglyphs have radically changed our understanding of the long-term human impact on the Amazonian rainforest: namely, that the Amazon floodplains and non-flooded terra firme hinterlands were not completely covered by pristine forest
There is no evidence at Severino Calazans for natural accumulation, as there was no observable change in soil composition between the lower pre-ceramic ash-and-charcoal layer and the ceramic-containing layer
Summary
The discovery of hundreds of geometrical earthworks (geoglyphs) with an associated system of roads in the state of Acre, Brazil, has been labelled the “the most recent and dramatic discovery” in Amazonian archaeology (Mann 2008: 1148). We present evidence for such an accumulation from the Severino Calazans site in eastern Acre, dating to as early as c. This activity did not produce Amazonian dark earths, the result resembles lightercoloured terra mulata soil (see e.g. Denevan 2001; Kämpf et al 2003; Arroyo-Kalin 2010), containing ash and tiny fragments of charcoal accumulated over a long period of time.
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