The amazonian domestication “syndrome“: an analysis of the controversies surrounding the debate
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4000/14qqlKeywords:
amazonian domestication, historical ecology, scientific controversies, anthropology of science and technology, indigenous perspectivesAbstract
This article addresses the scientific controversies surrounding the idea of Amazonian Domestication, a narrative that challenges the traditional view of the rainforest as a pristine environment by highlighting the role of Indigenous populations in transforming Amazonian landscapes. In the first part, the text maps out the debate between two groups of scientists: on one side, researchers who argue that the Amazon rainforest was extensively shaped by pre-Columbian human practices, resulting in domesticated landscapes; on the other, scholars who contend that the evidence of domestication is localized and insufficient to support claims of widespread transformation. The debate encompasses methodological issues, the distribution of useful species, and the relationship between archaeological sites and biodiversity. In the second part, the article critically examines the discursive operations surrounding the concept of domestication, showing how its definition varies according to the adopted perspective. The dispute between domestication as a broad and gradual process versus a more restricted and intentional event reflects differing understandings of the degree of human influence on the Amazon rainforest. Throughout the text, it becomes evident that the controversy is not limited to empirical data but also involves epistemological and political disputes concerning the role of Indigenous populations in managing the Amazon. While recognizing this influence is crucial for environmental and conservation policies, conceptual tensions demonstrate the challenges of integrating multiple disciplines and perspectives in the study of human interactions with tropical environments.
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