When the Volcano Erupts: Lessons from the Archaeological Record on Human Adaptation to Catastrophic Environments

Author(s): Rachel Egan

Year: 2019

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2019: General Sessions" session, at the 84th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

How do repeated disasters shape and strengthen communities? The Tilarán-Arenal region of Costa Rica is one of the most volcanically active regions in the world, but despite the risk, from the advent of sedentary villages during the Tronodora phase (2000-500 BC) until the arrival of Spanish in the 16th century, people demonstrated remarkable resilience. Using this region as a case study, this research uses archaeology, tephrochronology, and geographic information system to explore the innovative ways pre-Hispanic people adapted to the hazardous nature of their environment.

Cite this Record

When the Volcano Erupts: Lessons from the Archaeological Record on Human Adaptation to Catastrophic Environments. Rachel Egan. Presented at The 84th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, Albuquerque, NM. 2019 ( tDAR id: 450306)

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Spatial Coverage

min long: -92.153; min lat: -4.303 ; max long: -50.977; max lat: 18.313 ;

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 23546