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PORTAIL D'INFORMATION GÉOGRAPHIQUE

Fragile landscapes, fragile civilizations — How climate determined societies in the pre-Columbian south Peruvian Andes

Long-term degradation of fragile landscape systems

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

MÄCHTLE, B.
Geographical Inst., Lab. Geomorphology and Geoecology, Univ., Heidelberg, Allemagne
EITEL, B.
Geographical Inst., Lab. Geomorphology and Geoecology, Univ., Heidelberg, Allemagne
FLETCHER, W.J.
Geography, School of Environment and Development, Univ., Manchester, Royaume-Uni
FAUST, D.
Institute of Geography, Technical Univ., Dresden, Allemagne
ZIELHOFER, C.
Institute of Geography, Univ., Leipzig, Allemagne


Description :
Considering a coincidence between environmental and cultural changes, the AA. state that success and decline of civilizations were dominated by hydrological oscillations, triggering fertility as well as a critical loss of natural resources. Fragile periods, i.e. periods of geomorphological activity, occurred contemporaneous with cultural transitions. In response to spatial changing resources cultural foci were shifted. So, the success of pre-Columbian civilizations was closely coupled to areas of geo-ecological favorability, which were directly controlled by distinct regional impacts of large-scale circulation mechanisms, including El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). For the first time, this paper offers geomorphological evidence for diachronous Andean (agri-)cultural development, which was geographically determined.


Type de document :
Article de monographie

Source :
Catena (Giessen), issn : 0341-8162, 2013, vol. 103, p. 62-73, nombre de pages : 12, Références bibliographiques : 1 p.

Date :
2013

Editeur :
Pays édition : Allemagne, Cremlingen-Destedt, Catena

Langue :
Anglais
Droits :
Tous droits réservés © Prodig - Bibliographie Géographique Internationale (BGI)