Anthropology 2231F/G Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Soil Fertility
13 Jul 2012
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Lecture 13 part 2 subsistence changes in late woodland and mississippian. Introduction of beans: nitrogen-fixing properties increase soil fertility, leads to more productive crops. Planted in the same fields as maize to replenish soil: broader range of nutrients (proteins, etc. Changes in relative importance of all the different forms of food: maize becoming more important. First response was not to immediately adopt maize, intensified using small mammals and seed crops first: why didn"t adopt maize right away. ), lots of work to clear the fields: got to the point where the population was too large to be supported by small mammals and seed crops, maize adopted. Argued that population growth that led to the development of mississippian society. Needs that led to non-egalitarian society ( push models): 1. What land to clear, how much do we need, etc: 3. Although maize is productive, relying on it more and more. Putting all your eggs in one basket.
