Fedickschrift: Notes on a Prominent Historical Figure in Ethnoecology, Ethnoarchaeology, and Landscape Studies

Author(s): Shanti Morell-Hart

Year: 2015

Summary

The legacy of Scott Fedick in ethnoecology, ethnoarchaeology, and landscape studies cannot be understated. Aside from years of active collaborative work and mentorship, the dissemination of his research has led to rich interpretations far beyond his immediate influence.

In the first part of this paper, I follow impacts of Fedick's scholarship in several fields, as tracked through citations and students. I also trace his impacts on public policy and common understandings of Maya lifeways. In the second part of this paper, I address Fedick's work at the site of T'isil, Yalahau Region of Quintana Roo, where he carried out over a decade of research. I report my findings from paleoethnobotanical analysis at a well-to-do ancient household in the center of the site, including macroremains and microremains. I consider shifts in plant practices and relationships with the landscape as indexed by these residues.

These findings are illuminated by those from Fedick's own experimental studies and publications on ethnoecology and the landscape. I pay particular attention to his writings on the "managed mosaic" that both reflected and inspired ancient Maya ethnoecological practice. Such work has guided countless scholars, whether field school students, graduate student advisees, or collaborators in archaeology.

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Cite this Record

Fedickschrift: Notes on a Prominent Historical Figure in Ethnoecology, Ethnoarchaeology, and Landscape Studies. Shanti Morell-Hart. Presented at The 80th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, San Francisco, California. 2015 ( tDAR id: 396231)

Keywords

Geographic Keywords
Mesoamerica

Spatial Coverage

min long: -107.271; min lat: 12.383 ; max long: -86.353; max lat: 23.08 ;