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Ecological History

Ecological History. Adoption and Diffusion of Agriculture. Ecological History. Four Competing Theories: 1) Diffusion 2) Population 3) Environmental 4) Coevolution. Ecological History. Diffusion “…the flow of agricultural practices, ideas or germ plasm from one place to another.”

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Ecological History

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  1. Ecological History Adoption and Diffusion of Agriculture

  2. Ecological History • Four Competing Theories: • 1) Diffusion • 2) Population • 3) Environmental • 4) Coevolution

  3. Ecological History • Diffusion • “…the flow of agricultural practices, ideas or germ plasm from one place to another.” • One or few originating locations.

  4. Ecological History • Population • “Population pressure provided the impetus for agricultural origins.” • Not considered global. • Population density as important as overall level of population.

  5. Ecological History • Environmental Change • Global temperature change induced agricultural origins. • Likely a regional explanation since glacial melt helped as many regions as it harmed. • Coastal regions and areas of higher elevation likely affected most. • Rising sea levels => less coastal land • Elevated areas see new fauna with high temps

  6. Ecological History • Coevolution • Combination of: • Social evolution • Biological evolution • Weeds -> Plants (or vice versa) • “Dump Heap” Theory

  7. Ecological History • The Null Cases • Where agriculture failed to take hold… • Australia • California • Argentine Pampas • South Africa • Some explanations: • Non-diffusion (Aussie) • Abundance of wild species (Cal) • No coevolution apparent

  8. Ecological History • Two Composite Theories • Binford • Harris • Both depend on sedentism.

  9. Ecological History • Discussion • A complete theory would include 3 elements: • Parallel developments • Domestication mechanism • Motive to change to farming

  10. Assigned Readings Course ReaderG G S Monday: “To Farm or Not to Farm” pp 20-24 pp 104-113 By Diamond (GGS) Wednesday: “How to Make an Almond” pp 25-33 pp 114-130 By Diamond (GGS) “Apples of Indians” pp 34-41 pp 131-156 By Diamond (GGS) Friday: “Zebras …” pp41-46 pp157-175 By Diamond (GGS) “Spacious Skies …” pp47-54 pp176-191 By Diamond (GGS)

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