> -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On > Behalf Of Gary Denton > Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2006 1:33 AM > To: Killer Bs Discussion > Subject: Re: Jobs, not trees! (Collapse, Chapter 2) > > I'll just make a brief interjection that a new study suggests that > Diamond got it wrong. Easter Island forest deprivation was more > likely caused by rats brought by the colonists, who also arrived much > later then previously thought. The human depopulation was caused by > slave traders and diseases introduced by Europeans..
This is a good find, Gary. I had read about this a while ago, but didn't have website reference available. It reinforces one of the criticisms of using tentative archeological finds as the foundation for analysis of present day problems. Many times, these finds are a virtual tabula rossa, which allows an author with convictions to see his point well proven by a history that is conveniently veiled. Dan M. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
