ANTH 9 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Polynesian Rat, Tuamotus, Sweet Potato
3 Sep 2020
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Document Summary
How small societies cope with environmental and economic stress: the easter island. Sustainability is defined as a situation where the previous generation leaves enough resources in place for the next generation to maintain the same standard of living. Accomplished by adopting strategies that enhance ecological health and thus promote environmental regeneration. A sustainable society suffers from less stress since behavior reduces impacts of environmental changes on economy and society. Long-lived tree species have absorbed c14 from many centuries. Number of radioactive atoms is less than the exterior of the tree. Most likely came from south polynesia (e. g. tuamotu island chain-pitcairn, mangareva) Brought with them agricultural products (e. g. , taro, sweet potato, yam), the domesticated chicken and polynesian rat. An agriculture based economy based upon tuber production (e. g. sweet potato, taro) through dry land farming (rock gardens) Protein provided by chicken, rat, and fish. This fed a large population that created an extensive archaeological record.
