Early Humans in Dryland Environments: A Geoarchaeological Perspective

McLaren, Sue; Reynolds, Thomas

doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-5719-9_27

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…The multiproxy analysis allows for the development of a chronological and spatial framework for human occupations in the high-altitude endorheic basins of the Imilac and Punta Negra salt flats and the associated paleoenvironmental context. However, linking human occupation and climate change has been challenging, as records of past vegetation changes, geomorphological processes, and human groups operate at different temporal and spatial scales (Grosjean et al, 2003;McLaren & Reynolds, 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Drylands and deserts are potential barriers to human dispersal and settlement, but they can also be suitable places for human occupation or transit corridors, depending on the timing, magnitude of wet and dry conditions, and lifeways of the respective human groups (McLaren & Reynolds, 2009). Over the past two decades, an increasing number of studies have allowed us to expand our understanding of the climatic history of the Atacama Desert and the evolution of Late Pleistocene-Early Holocene environments (Betancourt et al, 2000;de Porras et al, 2017;Gayó et al, 2012;Grosjean et al, 2005;Latorre et al, 2002Latorre et al, , 2007Latorre et al, , 2013Maldonado et al, 2005;Nester et al, 2007;Quade et al, 2008, among others).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Late Pleistocene–Early Holocene human settlement and environmental dynamics in the southern Atacama Desert highlands (24.0°S–24.5°S, Northern Chile)

et al. 2021

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The earliest known population of the Atacama Desert coincided with the Central Andean Pluvial Event II (CAPE II), an extensive pluvial event recorded during the Late Pleistocene-Early Holocene (13,800-8,500 cal years BP). A large number of archaeological sites from this period have been found along the borders of the Imilac and Punta Negra (24.5°S) high-altitude basins (ca. 3,000 masl). By combining the results of proxy data obtained from geomorphological, sedimentological, and paleoecological (rodent middens) archives and the spatial location of archaeological sites and radiocarbon series analyses, this paper examines the links between human activities and paleoenvironmental dynamics at different times during CAPE II in the southern Atacama Desert. This is done at a finer spatial and temporal scale than previous studies. The first archaeological sites (ca.12,000-11,200 cal years BP) are concomitant with increased paleowetland occurrence frequency. An occupational hiatus is recorded between 11,200 and 10,800 cal years BP, synchronous with a drop in precipitation and wetland development. This is followed by a displacement of the archaeological sites toward the south-east of the Punta Negra Basin and concomitant again with a second peak of wetland development in the area (10,800-10,400 cal years BP) before the final abandonment of the salt flat margins.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Late Pleistocene–Early Holocene human settlement and environmental dynamics in the southern Atacama Desert highlands (24.0°S–24.5°S, Northern Chile)

et al. 2021

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“…Third, there is increased emphasis on the arid geomorphological contributions to interdisciplinary research fields such as ecogeomorphology and geoarchaeology (e.g. Laity, 2008;McLaren and Reynolds, 2009;Wainwright, 2009). In this progress report, I will touch on all three themes, but will place particular emphasis on recent developments in improving the temporal framework for arid geomorphology.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Arid geomorphology

Tooth

2011

Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment

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Arid geomorphological research continues apace with publications appearing in a diverse range of outlets. Themes common to several recent (2008)(2009) books include greater emphasis on the global diversity of arid environments, the improved temporal framework for research findings, and the growing contribution of arid geomorphology to interdisciplinary research fields. Building on previous progress reports, this article touches on all three themes, but particularly highlights how applications of geochronology (e.g. cosmogenic isotope analysis, luminescence dating, and radiocarbon dating) are challenging or revolutionizing understanding of the timing and rates of arid geomorphological change. Four case studies from 'iconic' arid landscapes illustrate changes over different timescales: (1) canyons of the Colorado Plateau region, southwest USA (last *5-6 Ma); ( 2) aeolian dunefields in central Australia (last *1 Ma); (3) palaeolakes in the Kalahari, central southern Africa (last *300 ka); and (4) alluvial and bedrock-controlled rivers in the southwest USA (last *12 ka). Other developments across the suite of geochronological techniques are also contributing to improved understanding of arid landscape dynamics and the links with late Cenozoic environmental changes, biological (including hominin) evolution and cultural developments, but many outstanding issues remain. These include: (1) compiling large geochronological data sets to enable rigorous hypothesis testing;(2) establishing guiding conceptual frameworks to aid the selection and interpretation of geochronological data;(3) using multiple chronometers; (4) combining geochronology with other investigative techniques such as computational modelling; and (5) clarifying the causal links between events in different palaeorecords, even when temporal correlation can be established with a high degree of certainty. Despite recent rapid advances, today's understanding of the antiquity and tempo of landscape development in Earth's arid environments undoubtedly will be challenged and extended by further research, with particularly valuable perspectives likely to be provided by arid geomorphological research on other planetary bodies.

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Caves and Rock Shelters of the Central Sahara and Their Records

Balbo

2023

World Geomorphological Landscapes

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Early Humans in Dryland Environments: A Geoarchaeological Perspective

Cited by 4 publications

References 128 publications

Late Pleistocene–Early Holocene human settlement and environmental dynamics in the southern Atacama Desert highlands (24.0°S–24.5°S, Northern Chile)

Late Pleistocene–Early Holocene human settlement and environmental dynamics in the southern Atacama Desert highlands (24.0°S–24.5°S, Northern Chile)

Arid geomorphology

Caves and Rock Shelters of the Central Sahara and Their Records

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