O papel das terras pretas de índio no antropoceno

Abstract

The soils of the Amazon Region are usually highly weathered and not very fertile. However, in this same region are archeological soils called Amazonian Dark Earth, that have high concentrations of mineral nutrients and stable organic matter. Recently, Certini and Scalenghe proposed that the Anthropocene would have started in 2000 years BP, based on the use of anthropic soils such as Anthropocene Golden Spikes, especially the Amazonian Dark Earth. This study aims to compare the characteristics of Amazonian Dark Earth and Acrisols typical of Central Amazonia and to evaluate the role of these archaeological soils in issues related to the Anthropocene. Although all soils have been recognized as dystrophic, the Amazonian Dark Earth reflect their more complex pedogenesis, in which natural and anthropic processes act together, unlike the Acrisols. In the Anthropocene, Amazonian Dark Earth can be considered as excellent environmental markers indicating the onset and long-term extension of pre-Colombian human activities in the Amazon Region, but lack the stratigraphic characteristics necessary to be considered as adequate Golden Anthropocene Spikes.