Human activity History of South America

members of uncontacted tribe encountered in brazilian state of acre in 2009

based on archaeological evidence excavation @ caverna da pedra pintada, human inhabitants first settled in amazon region @ least 11,200 years ago. subsequent human development led late-prehistoric settlements along periphery of forest caused alterations in forest cover 1250 ce.

geoglyphs on deforested land in amazon rainforest, acre

for long time thought amazon rainforest ever sparsely populated, impossible sustain large population through agriculture given poor soil. archaeologist betty meggers prominent proponent of idea, described in book amazonia: man , culture in counterfeit paradise. claimed population density of 0.2 inhabitants per square kilometre (0.52/sq mi) maximum can sustained in rainforest through hunting, agriculture needed support larger population. however, recent archaeological findings have suggested region densely populated. 1970s, numerous geoglyphs have been discovered on deforested land dating between 0–1250 ce, leading claims pre-columbian civilisations. bbc s unnatural histories claimed amazon rainforest, rather being pristine wilderness, has been shaped man @ least 11,000 years through practices such forest gardening. recent anthropological findings have suggested region densely populated. 5 million people may have lived in amazon region in 1500 ce, divided between dense coastal settlements, such @ marajó, , inland dwellers.

norte chico

caral

on north-central coast of present-day peru, norte chico civilization emerged 1 of 6 civilizations develop independently in world. contemporaneous egyptian pyramids. preceded civilization of mesoamerica 2 millennia. believed have been civilization dependent on fishing rather agriculture support population.

the caral supe complex 1 of larger norte chico sites , has been dated 27th century bce. noteworthy having absolutely no signs of warfare. contemporary urbanism s rise in mesopotamia.