Dan wrote:
-----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.
Actually I have a number of problems with the article. First, he blames
the deforestation on the rats, but offers only evidence that the giant
palms were endangered by the rodents. There were several other species of
large trees, what became of them? Remember, when first contacted, the
islanders were in small, leaky canoes. Second, the actual population of
the island at its height is still in question. Diamond had a good deal
more substantiation for his estimate than I saw in this article. Third
the conclusion that the population collapse occurred after contact with
European explorers is not well substantiated. Has he established that the
cannibalism that occurred was after contact? Finally, I think that the
author's objectivity is questionable. He admits that one of the reasons
he took on the project was that a student of his from the island peaked
his interest. It is more than likely that a native of the island would be
anxious to disprove the idea that his ancestors were so irresponsible.
I would be very interested in a response from Diamond on this study.
--
Doug
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