Indigenous Settlements Research Articles

Future climate and land use changes challenge current dependencies on wild food harvesting by rural indigenous communities.

Traditional food systems support the livelihoods and well-being of rural Indigenous communities, particularly in remote, asset-poor areas. However, the diversity of wild foods is in global decline under the accelerating impacts of climate and environmental change with major but poorly understood implications for dependent communities. Here, we combine a comprehensive systematic household survey involving 400 households from 18 rural Indigenous settlements across the Republic of Sakha, a vast and climate change sensitive region in the Russian Far East, with species distribution models for 51 food species of animals, plants, and fungi to (i) profile current household dependencies on wild food harvesting; (ii) project future (2050s) changes in the regional distribution and local availability of wild foods under alternative climate and land use change scenarios; and (iii) discuss their combined potential implications. We find that current dependencies, understood as shares of the total food consumed and income by household, are on average relatively low across settlements, albeit with important regional variability. Remote and isolated settlements in the Arctic region of the Republic of Sakha have greater levels of dependency with stronger links to animal products, while those in the southern and central regions, which are better connected and closer to major urban areas, have lower levels of dependency and are dominated by nonanimal products (plant-based products and fungi). These dependency patterns contrast with projected changes in the regional distribution and local availability of food species, signaling major turnovers of species with important potential implications for dependent rural livelihoods.

Model Lanskap Permukiman Tradisional Masyarakat Adat Rejang Provinsi Bengkulu Berbasis Budaya Lokal

Rejang is one of the original tribes of Bengkulu Province. This tribe mostly lives in the Bukit Barisan area. Some of their settlements are undergoing changes due to the rapidly growing flow of information and communication today. Conservation efforts need to be made, especially about their traditional settlement landscape model. The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the character of traditional settlement landscapes and their constituent elements and compile a model of traditional settlement landscapes of the indigenous Rejang people. This research uses a descriptive method through a literature study approach, interviews, and field observations. The analysis was carried out descriptively and spatially. The landscape character of the indigenous Rejang tribe settlement is in the form of hilly landforms with land cover in the form of forests, gardens, and terraced rice fields, with the valley floor in the form of small and medium rivers. Traditional settlements stretch over ridges to mountain peaks. The character-forming features of landscapes include both natural and artificial features. Natural features consist of the elements of hills, forests, and rivers. Artificial features consist of terraced rice fields, gardens/fields, and settlements. The settlement itself includes traditional houses (including traditional chiefs' houses), circulation paths, public open spaces, and tombs. The elements that make up the Residential Garden include residential houses, rice barns (tangkiang), kitchens, fence plants, vegetable and flower plants, trees, yards, mortar (places to pound rice). Traditional ceremonial activities are held inside and outside the home, as well as communal activities such as planting and harvesting rice held in rice fields. The landscape model of the traditional settlement of the indigenous people of Rejang Lebong is linear with the center of the settlement along the main road on the ridge. The settlement is surrounded by gardens/fields and rice fields. The forest is on the outside away from settlements.

Knowledge, attitude and practice levels regarding malaria among the Semai sub-ethnic indigenous Orang Asli communities in Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia: a stepping stone towards the prevention of human malaria re-establishment

BackgroundIn Malaysia, despite a decline in cases, malaria remains a major public health concern, especially among the vulnerable indigenous people (i.e. Orang Asli) in remote areas. Effective preventive and control measures require an evidence-based understanding of their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding malaria. This study aimed to evaluate the KAP regarding malaria in an indigenous settlement in Peninsular Malaysia.MethodsA household-based cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2024 in six Semai sub-ethnic indigenous villages in Pos Lenjang, Kuala Lipis, Pahang. A structured questionnaire was administered to randomly selected individuals (≥ 12 years old) to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics and KAP. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and predictors of KAP were determined using logistic regression. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsA total of 267 individuals from 160 households were interviewed. Nearly half had good knowledge (49.4%) and positive attitudes (54.3%) towards malaria, with high practice scores for prevention and control (83.1%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed higher odds of good knowledge in those aged 40–59 years (adjusted odd ratio [aOR] = 6.90, p = 0.034), with primary (aOR = 2.67, p = 0.015) or secondary education (aOR = 2.75, p = 0.019), and with previous malaria history (aOR = 5.14, p < 0.001). Higher odds of a good attitude were found in those with secondary education (aOR = 4.05, p < 0.001) and previous malaria history (aOR = 2.74, p = 0.017). Lower odds were observed for the unemployed (aOR = 0.25, p = 0.018) and those collecting forest products (aOR = 0.25, p = 0.049) for attitude and practice, respectively.DiscussionThe overall practice level on malaria prevention was high among the Semai Orang Asli in Pahang. However, to ensure sustainability, the low levels of knowledge and attitude regarding malaria must be strengthened through increased health education and continuous community engagement.

Conserving Continuously Evolving Cultural Landscapes of Vernacular Settlements: Insights from the Village Nirmand, Himachal Pradesh, India

Hill settlements have emerged and evolved respecting the given condition of Nature. The elements of the settlement pattern reflect the tenets responding to the socio-cultural-geographical context. The scientific and technological adaptations, innovations, and creations address culture-specific physical and psychological needs. The historical hill settlement of village Nirmand in Himachal Pradesh, India exhibits components of its origin and evolution. The settlement pattern, neighbourhood clusters, and house forms of the village are filled with religious significance, sensitivity towards local materials, technology, climateresponsive solutions, and architectural details. The living indigenous settlements have sustained and evolved over many years. However, with rapid urbanisation and changes in living patterns, the settlement is losing its value. The paper investigates ways to retain the authenticity and integrity associated with indigenous living hill settlements against the changing dynamics. This research employs the empirical research method. Before the field visit, secondary data collection was conducted to establish historical background. The fieldwork has been conducted periodically to understand patterns of change in the settlement. The research method involves an ethnographic approach to decipher the socio-cultural attributes of the community. During the field visit, the documentation of architectural components, mapping of neighbourhoods, community interaction, stakeholders' consultation, and visual documentation were conducted. The collected data has been analysed further to synthesise findings. Findings indicate that the patterns of change have accelerated due to urbanisation. The expansion of the settlement away from its centre, and the increase in the use of modern materials and construction techniques are threatening the authenticity of the settlement. The research concludes that the dynamics of issues both, natural and man-made are threatening the values associated with the settlement. Unless urgent actions with sensitivity toward Nature, culture, and community are undertaken, the settlement might lose its integrity.

Correlating Late-Holocene climate change and population dynamics at Cahokia Mounds (American Bottom, USA)

Food insecurity and the disruption of agricultural systems are often cited as explanations for the correlations observed between climate change and demographic shifts in past agricultural societies. While these narratives are abundant with data pertaining to climate and demographic changes, they often lack substantial information regarding the processes contributing to agricultural destabilization. In this article, we employ stable carbon isotopes extracted from paleosols collected at Cahokia Mounds, the largest Indigenous settlement in North America, to illustrate that vegetative communities did not respond to the multi-decadal drought that afflicted the mid-continent region at the end of the 13th century. This research underscores the existing gaps in our understanding of how plant communities respond to climate variations. To effectively utilize historical examples in shaping future strategies for adapting to contemporary climate change, it is imperative that we acquire deeper insights into the tolerance of Indigenous crops and culturally significant plants to various drought and flood conditions.

International Biological Flora: Festuca dolichophylla†

Abstract This account provides information on all aspects of the biology of Festuca dolichophylla J. Presl (Chilliwa, Chilligua) that are relevant to understanding its ecological characteristics and behaviour. The main topics are presented within the standard framework of the International Biological Flora including distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic and environmental factors, structure and physiology, phenology, floral and seed characters, herbivores and disease, history, conservation and global heterogeneity. Festuca dolichophylla is a tall perennial tussock grass that thrives at high elevations. It is native and widely distributed along the Andes of South America. It also occurs in North and Central America, especially in Mexico and Costa Rica. Festuca dolichophylla plays a significant role in Andean ecosystems and communities of Ecuador, Perú, Bolivia and northern Argentina. It serves various purposes, primarily as food source for South American camelids such as llama and alpaca. Festuca dolichophylla is dominant in Altiplano (Andean high plains) grasslands and is also present in Bofedales (Andean peatlands), shrublands and possibly in Ecuador and Colombia paramos. Festuca dolichophylla reproduces through seeds and vegetative tillers. Flowering tillers bear panicles with multiple spikelets and florets. An ungrazed plant can produce as much as 15.6 g of seeds during May and June, and seeds can germinate in 7 days or more. Festuca dolichophylla exhibits physiological and ecological traits that enable it to thrive in harsh environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures, drought and nutrient‐poor soils. It thrives in a range of soil types from strongly acid to slightly alkaline, encompassing textures that include loamy, sandy clay loam, clay loam and clay, and which are influenced by the cold and semiarid Andean climate. Fertilizers with different NPK formulations enhance fresh aerial biomass, plant height and volume. Additionally, F. dolichophylla forms mycorrhizal associations, stores large amounts of fixed carbon in its stems, and bioaccumulates mercury, lead and arsenic. Despite its importance, Festuca dolichophylla remains poorly studied. Further research is needed to explore its ecology, breeding systems, diseases or ecotypes. Moreover, population and demographic studies are crucial to assess the impact of climate change on this species. Adaptive, strategic and organized management and conservation efforts are essential, particularly in Indigenous Andean settlements, where F. dolichophylla offers multiple applications and benefits. Furthermore, utilizing this species in grassland revegetation and restoration initiatives highlights the need for ongoing research and management endeavours to ensure its conservation and sustainable use.

Towards a Communist Armed Conflict Indigenous Settlement Framework: Revisiting Vietnam, Singapore, and Taiwan Experience

Armed conflicts between governments and indigenous inhabitants in Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam have deep roots in historical tensions and the marginalization of minority groups. This qualitative study explores these factors and evaluates government strategies for conflict resolution, focusing on disparities in settlement, education, employment, and community engagement. Government actions such as military operations, peacebuilding, and comprehensive programs were analyzed. Singapore's strategies, including community engagement and socio-economic development, fostered stability and inclusivity. Taiwan's reconciliation efforts, including apologies and democratization, reduced conflict and promoted indigenous rights. Vietnam's initiatives for ethnic minority development underscored its commitment to peace through inclusive approaches. Historical contexts in these countries, marked by ethnic tensions, colonial legacies, and ideological divisions, shaped significant violence and social divisions, necessitating robust security measures and reconciliation efforts. Lessons learned emphasize diplomacy, international cooperation, and socio-economic integration for lasting peace. Governments must prioritize dialogue, inclusive policies, and sustainable development supported by international partnerships. Effective conflict resolution integrates socioeconomic development and reconciliation efforts, crucial for building resilient societies and fostering peace among Indigenous populations.

The Huber Site: A Frontier Indigenous Settlement at the Eve of European Contact

The Huber Site: A Frontier Indigenous Settlement at the Eve of European Contact

The Stone Fireplaces of Denendeh

Stone fireplaces and chimneys have been documented in nineteenth century Indigenous settlement sites in the Northwest Territories. The cabin and chimney designs were adapted by Dene craftsmen based on examples they encountered when engaging with Euro-Canadian traders and explorers. The Indigenous cabins and chimneys were built during a period of transition in Dene culture, at a time when they began the process of integrating into a fur trade economy. The chimneys and cabins are elements of Euro-Canadian vernacular architecture adapted by Indigenous people in the north. The Indigenous cabins and chimneys are an example of cultural diffusion and, in some instances, might have also been expressions of social status. Together, the Indigenous stone chimneys and the extant chimney features at Fort Confidence and Fort Reliance in the Northwest Territories are part of a shared architectural heritage.

Agriculture at the Phoenician site of La Fonteta (Alicante, Spain)

The Phoenician settlement of La Fonteta (Alicante, Spain) was founded in the late 8th cent bc at the mouth of the Río Segura. It has provided one of the most complete archaeobotanical records of all Phoenician Mediterranean sites which points to an agricultural system based on cultivating cereals, pulses and a wide variety of fruits such as grape, fig and pomegranate. These crops then spread to the surrounding indigenous settlements. Apart from integrating new crops, these local and regional indigenous sites progressively began to take part in a Mediterranean-wide network characterised particularly by trade in agricultural produce. The agricultural system of La Fonteta was not new to the Iberian Peninsula, as there is evidence that it arrived earlier at Phoenician colonies along its Mediterranean coastline. One of the most relevant aspects of the archaeobotanical record from La Fonteta is that it represents crafts there, as a large part of the remains correspond to plants which were burnt as fuel in its numerous metal working furnaces.

CULTURAL HERITAGE VISUALIZATION AND VIRTUAL RESTORATION - PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND LIDAR FOR STONE SLAB HOUSES AND OLD PAIWAN INDIGENEOUS SETTLEMENTS, TAIWAN

Abstract. When large scale of UAV photogrammetry and Lidar for mapping a Taiwanese aboriginal settlement with stone slab houses has been carried out, terrestrial 3D photogrammetry and scanning are applied to middle and small-scale recording individual buildings to get architectural form with decorations in detail . When constructing the basic data of cultural assets, especially in the mountain area, it is necessary to apply new technology to carry out efficient and accurate settlement mapping works. In this paper, taking an old Paiwan aboriginal settlement an example, a detailed examination of a stone slab house with three different 3D techniques is put into practice. The 3D data can be further used for digital archive, virtual presentation, and data query through network resources. The results of this study show that, in a large-scale of settlement surveys, aerial surveying technology is efficient for constructing the topography of a settlement and provides competent and spatial information of authentic landscape form, while terrestrial photogrammetry and scanning for middle and small scales record individual buildings to provide more details of architectural forms. They both together construct authentic landscape and architectural form of a settlement and furthermore are able to reveal the hidden settlements of archaeological sites under dense forests. The application of 3D technology, greatly increasing the efficiency and accuracy of mapping and recording, is very much helpful for visualization, virtual restoration, and conservation of indigenous settlements cultural heritage, especially in such high and steep forest.

Changes in parrot diversity after human arrival to the Caribbean

Humans did not arrive on most of the world's islands until relatively recently, making islands favorable places for disentangling the timing and magnitude of natural and anthropogenic impacts on species diversity and distributions. Here, we focus on Amazona parrots in the Caribbean, which have close relationships with humans (e.g., as pets as well as sources of meat and colorful feathers). Caribbean parrots also have substantial fossil and archaeological records that span the Holocene. We leverage this exemplary record to showcase how combining ancient and modern DNA, along with radiometric dating, can shed light on diversification and extinction dynamics and answer long-standing questions about the magnitude of human impacts in the region. Our results reveal a striking loss of parrot diversity, much of which took place during human occupation of the islands. The most widespread species, the Cuban Parrot, exhibits interisland divergences throughout the Pleistocene. Within this radiation, we identified an extinct, genetically distinct lineage that survived on the Turks and Caicos until Indigenous human settlement of the islands. We also found that the narrowly distributed Hispaniolan Parrot had a natural range that once included The Bahamas; it thus became "endemic" to Hispaniola during the late Holocene. The Hispaniolan Parrot also likely was introduced by Indigenous people to Grand Turk and Montserrat, two islands where it is now also extirpated. Our research demonstrates that genetic information spanning paleontological, archaeological, and modern contexts is essential to understand the role of humans in altering the diversity and distribution of biota.

APPLICATION OF QMRA TO EVALUATE THE POTENTIAL HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION OF WATERS IN ROYAL BELUM STATE PARK, MALAYSIA

Temenggor Lake located in Royal Belum State Park is an important water resource for indigenous people, an ecosystem for aqua organisms and a place for water recreational activities for visitors. The aim of this research was to use a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) approach to calculate the probability of potential pathogen infection risk to the visitors and the indigenous community. Thirty-six water samples were collected from the surface waters of Temenggor Lake from recreational water activity and indigenous people activity sites from November 2020 till December 2021. Membrane filtration technique was used for bacterial quantification. The risk was estimated using the calculation of the daily risk of infection, annual risk of infection, and risk of illness per annum and per event. The water quality during sampling periods at year-end showed higher bacterial concentrations related to rainfall events. Bacterial concentrations at visitor water activity areas were within Category A allowing for recreational activities with full body contact while water quality at indigenous people water activity areas were classified as Category B to be used mainly for secondary body contact and hence not allowed for swimming and bathing. Notably, indigenous people's settlement areas recorded a higher risk of illness for both E. coli and Salmonella spp., mainly at station A03 (Kg. Sungai Tiang). It has been revealed that water quality in indigenous people and visitor water activity areas were significantly different due to being affected by different types of human activity and other factors such as geohydrological conditions, topography, land use, environmental conditions and events. This study provides baseline data to help in future management strategies to ensure the conservation of the natural landscape and economic viability, in addition to the protection of the local community.

Historical Geographies of Coastal Tourism: Mossel Bay, South Africa c.1850-1988

During the past decade there has occurred a burst of international research and debate on coastal tourism as part of the ‘blue economy’ including a growth of geography-specific scholarship. Arguably, however, within the extant geographical literature there is an overwhelming ‘present-mindedness’ and limited historical perspectives. This paper addresses this neglected knowledge gap by using an historical approach and archival sources to undertake a locality-based study of the historical transitions which have shaped and reshaped one coastal settlement in South Africa. The Mossel Bay area is of considerable historical significance because of its long history of indigenous settlement before the first European contacts triggered by the arrival in 1488 of Bartholomew Diaz and crew who were in search for a trading sea route for Portugal to India. The nature of the colonial growth of tourism in Mossel Bay and the distinctive tourism economy of the town under apartheid is interrogated. This culminated in the scripting of the controversial 1988 Dias festival hosted to celebrate the opening of ‘apartheid’s last museum’ which occurred before Mossel Bay would experience a radical social transition following South Africa’s democratic elections. Overall, the evolutionary pathways and transitions in the historical geography of this coastal locality are the focus of discussion.

Sustainable Tourism and Community Benefits: Experiences from Yunnan Province, China

Sustainable ecotourism has been considered an alternative approach to tourism development specifically to enhance community benefits vis-a-vis the protection of natural and cultural heritage in the indigenous settlements. This study takes the case of the indigenous communities of Xishuangbanna to examine the potential community benefits of ecotourism development and the key issues responsible for promoting sustainable development. It has adopted an exploratory approach to review secondary sources, such as previous research papers and reports specifically on eco-tourism, ethnic cultural heritage, and community development in the Dai villages of Xishuangbanna. Face-to-face and online interviews with tourism academics from China were also conducted. Empirical research conducted by both Chinese and overseas scholars, particularly in the Dai villages of Xishuangbanna, was selected as a reference to perform critical analysis. Findings revealed that local communities have received significant economic benefits from tourism development; however, their local culture and heritage values have been manipulated in the interests of capital and political needs. Indigenous authenticity has been largely influenced by the entrepreneurial interests, bureaucratic mandates, and economic necessities of the local people. As such, the prevailing model of tourism development generally favors the tourism entrepreneurs and the state with less attention to Dai ethnic people. This study suggests adopting inclusive community participation and collaborative efforts to promote sustainable ecotourism and community development in ethnic settlements around the globe especially country like Nepal. The article makes an effort to examine the case of the indigenous communities of Xishuangbanna, the Peoples' Republic of China the theoretical lens of PMPD.

GPR survey on underwater archaeological site: A case study at Jenipapo stilt village in the eastern Amazon region, Brazil

In this work we present and discuss the results of a pioneering Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey performed at the underwater archaeological stilt village called Jenipapo in the eastern Amazon region. Jenipapo stilt village is located on the Turiaçu River, Maranhão State, Northeast of Brazil. The region is known as the Maranhense wetland where settlements were built by indigenous populations that inhabited this region during the pre-colonial period (∼AD 1 – 1100). These settlements were built on the margin of rivers and lakes, being supported by wooden pillars, corresponding to prehistoric stilt houses. The objectives of this research are to refine the wooden pillars location at the Turiaçu River bottom and guide the search for underwater archaeological artifacts. A total of twelve GPR profiles were acquired with 270 MHz antennas using a rubber boat. The GPR results indicated clear signal reflection from the river bottom and several diffraction hyperbolas suspended over the river bottom related to the top of the wooden pillars. To support the interpretation of the results, a GPR numerical modeling was performed to simulate the diffraction hyperbolas suspended in the water related to the wooden pillars. The synthetic result presented a good agreement with real data. Finally, the location of several diffraction hyperbolas can guide the divers to find and collect archaeological artifacts around the underwater wooden pillars that are the best evidence of the stilt houses of indigenous settlements found in the eastern Amazon region. Several archaeological artifacts were found during previous work, including ceramic materials. The results of this research show the capability of the GPR method to map an underwater wooden pillar and increase the probability of finding archaeological artifacts on the river bottom, which contributes to improve the knowledge of the Amazonian archaeology in Brazil.

DIGITAL HERITAGE AND PRESERVATION: AERIAL PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND LIDAR APPLIED TO THE MAPPING OF KAPAYUWANAN, INDIGENOUS PAIWAN SETTLEMENTS, TAIWAN

Abstract. This paper discusses the application of UAV and Terrestrial photogrammetry and LiDAR for mapping Taiwanese indigenous Settlements. The relics of Taiwanese indigenous settlements with thousands history are widely distributed in deep forestry mountains with inconvenient transportation. Kapayuwanan is the original place of paiwan indigenous people. Firstly, UAV photogrammetry is applied for mapping supayuan settlement of 8 hectares and those stone houses invisible under dense forest are drawn by in-site investigation. Then UAV photogrammetry and LiDAR are used to document the larger area of Kapayuwanan of 36 hectares and terrestrial Lidar for the area of 1.2 hectares sorted out. It can not only obtain the accurate topography, landscape with architecture but also reveal the hidden settlements, such as roads, stone slab houses, irrigation landscape under the dense forest. Accuracy mapping is fundamental for future preservation planning and virtual conservation.Shaping the future is from revealing the Past. That is crucial to document, understand, and preserve the precious cultural heritage. Documenting with immediacy, high resolution, high manoeuvrability become possible because of the rapid developments of digital technologies in the recent two decades. It’s astonishing, in the case of Taiwanese indigenous archaeological settlements sites, UAV photogrammetry and Lidar can successfully reveal the relics of stone slab houses in such a sever site – steep slopes, dense forestry with plantation in biodiversity. The reveal of settlements with reclaimed landscape verifies oral transmission of indigenous people as well . Digital technologies support the contention of archaeology, anthropology, heritage preservation, and cultural landscape, indispensable for revealing the past and shaping the future.

Climate change, site formation, and indigenous use of coastlines in Barbuda

This article explores the landscape dynamics at the island of Barbuda in the context of changing climate to understand (1) the environmental setting of indigenous settlements; (2) the impacts of current coastal processes; and (3) the potential threats moving forward toward increasing pressure of climate change. Focusing on the site of Seaview, on the east coast of Barbuda, we use geoarchaeological methods to reconstruct the ancient geomorphological setting, investigate changes post-abandonment, and identify the hazards faced under future sea-level projections. Our study shows that (1) sea level stabilization after the Mid-Holocene allowed the formation of coral reefs, seagrass beds and other benthic ecosystems that allowed for biogenic sediment accumulation and growth of sand dune retention ridges. (2) These environmental characteristics, including rich marine food sources, supported the establishment and flourishing of Seaview starting ca. 160 BC. (3) Occupation ended at some point between AD960 and 1000. This change coincided with a period of increased storminess, higher SSTs, and possible coral reef mortality that affected both food availability and sediment supply. (4) Lack of sediments triggered progressive sand dune erosion that continues today and has left the sand dune ridge past the tipping point of erosion. (5) Looking into a future of rapidly changing climate, sea level rise poses a severe and devastating threat to the land- and seascapes of Barbuda. With the lowland coastal plain at or only slightly above current sea level, a rate of SLR comparable to Mid-Holocene rates, and rapid loss of sand dune ridges and coral reefs as natural barriers, it is just a matter of time before the lowlands become transformed beyond recognition. The results of this analysis can be used to improve long-term management of the heritage resources of Barbudans and shed light on parallel challenges experienced on other tropical coastal locations.

Cultural-ecosystem resilience is vital yet under-considered in coastal restoration

As large areas of the Mississippi River Delta (MRD) of the USA disappear into the sea, present-day communities and cultural resources are lost. While the land loss may be readily quantified, describing the impact of cultural losses is less straightforward because cultural elements are frequently less tangible and difficult to map, identify, and categorize. The elision of cultural components of landscapes and ecosystems is evident in restoration practices and policies, although numerous scholars have identified the interlinked processes of culture and ecology as critical to rebuilding healthy and resilient environments. We define and measure cultural-ecosystem resilience (CER) in the Mississippi River Delta through analyses of Indigenous oral histories, mound-building practices and settlement patterns, and the persistence and reuse of archaeological sites. CER describes a system containing resilient properties embedded in human-natural settings including river deltas that may manifest in oral cultural traditions, architecture, and the selection of habitable environments. Our interdisciplinary approach demonstrates the role of human-modified landscapes in generating resilience for past and present coastal communities and highlights the importance of consulting records of historic and modern Indigenous traditions in shaping sustainable landscape-management strategies. Results show that archaeological earthen and shell mounds made by Native American Gulf Coast and MRD communities have been persistent features that endured for centuries and are sited in regions of high multicultural value within the dynamic delta. Yet, we document the rapid 20th-century loss of mounds due to coastal erosion, industry, and other human land-use practices. Present-day and future coastal land loss endangers what remains of these keystone features and thus lowers the resilience of modern Mississippi River Delta communities.

Looking at the Big Picture: Using Spatial Statistical Analyses to Study Indigenous Settlement Patterns in the North-Western Dominican Republic

After several field campaigns between 2007 and 2018 in the northwestern region of the Dominican Republic, more than 300 archaeological sites have been registered and revisited. While several of these sites were identified through the scatter of surface material culture, others show terrain modifications in the form of anthropogenic mounds and levelled areas. Researchers have gathered valuable information regarding these features’ functionality and construction processes through large-scale excavations in archaeological sites with anthropogenic mounds, paleoenvironmental studies and remote sensing analyses. These anthropogenic mounds represent a long-term process of formation and were used for a variety of purposes ranging from agricultural to ritual activities. While excavations and small-scale remote sensing can provide a myriad of data to improve our understanding of these archaeological sites, a regional perspective is needed to map the relationship among archaeological sites with and without terrain modifications, to better understand the Indigenous cultural patterns in their regional environment. In this regard, the primary objective of this paper is to explore to what extent these archaeological sites were related to the environment and each other. This was achieved by correlating archaeological data with a set of archaeologically recognized important environmental variables using advanced spatial statistics. The results provide important insights to understand the underlying pattern of archaeological sites in this region and its relationship with the environmental setting.