The Galápagos Islands are one of the world's premiere nature attractions, home to unique ecosystems widely thought to be untouched and pristine. Historical Ecology and Archaeology in the Galápagos Islands reveals that the archipelago is not as isolated as many imagine, examining how centuries of human occupation have transformed its landscape. This book shows that the island chain has been a part of global networks since its discovery in 1535 and traces the changes caused by human colonization. Central to this history is the sugar plantation Hacienda El Progreso on San Cristóbal Island. Here, zooarchaeological and archaeobotanical evidence documents the introduction of exotic species and landscape transformations, and material evidence attests that inhabitants maintained connections to the outside world for consumer goods. Beyond illuminating the human history of the islands, the authors also look at the impact of visitors to Galápagos National Park today, raising questions about tourism's role in biological conservation, preservation, and restoration.
Author(s): Peter W. Stahl, Fernando J. Astudillo, Ross W. Jamieson, Diego Quiroga, Florencio Delgado
Series: Society and Ecology in Island and Coastal Archaeology
Publisher: University Press of Florida
Year: 2020
Language: English
Pages: 240
City: Gainesville
Cover
Historical Ecology and Archaeology in the Galápagos Islands
Title
Copyright
CONTENTS
List of Figures
List of Plates
List of Tables
Foreword
Acknowledgments
1. Introduction
2. Humans Encounter Galápagos
3. Manuel J. Cobos, San Cristóbal, and the Hacienda El Progreso
4. Island Production for Global and Local Consumption
5. Consumption and Control in the Material Culture of Hacienda El Progreso
6. Galápagos, San Cristóbal, El Progreso, and Colonos in a Changing World
Notes
References
Index
