ANTH 9 Chapter Notes - Chapter 16: Theocracy
Document Summary
Rock garden technology enabled production for many centuries after deforestation. Managers controlled gardening to ensure that the best possible yields were maintained. Nutrients were added to the soil to increase productivity. Environmental contexts can limit the various economic alternatives. Population will grow to fill and environment and will degrade that environment. Landscape alteration is very rapid with deforestation occurring in 200-250 years. Societies continually reassess their situation and respond with technological and behavioral innovations to maintain traditional social customs. Rapa nui society became increasingly rigid theocracy in the face of economic problems and the need to manage them.