Climate change and long-term human behaviour in the Neotropics: An archaeological view from the Global South.

V. SCHEINSOHN; A. S. MUÑOZ; M. MONDINI

PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

ROYAL SOC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2023

0962-8436

In this paper, we argue for the inclusion of archaeology in discussions about how humans have contributed to and dealt with climate change, especially in the long term. We suggest Niche Construction Theory as a suitable framework to that end. In order to take into account both human and environmental variability, we also advocate for a situated perspective that includes the Global South as a source of knowledge production, and the Neotropics as a relevant case study to consider. To illustrate this, we review the Mid-Holocene Hypsithermal period in southern Puna and continental Patagonia, in southern South America, by assessing the challenges posed by this climate period and the archaeological signatures of the time from a Niche Construction Theory perspective. Finally, we emphasise the importance of these considerations for policymaking.