If the cities were so large, then large scale waste disposal must have been present or the place would really stink. So if waste was collected in clay pots, and brought to large ditches near town, flipped upside down and burnt, they would have become biochar kilns, then removed and re-used. Cover the burnt with a layer of soil and repeat until the ditch was full. Broken pottery was pots that got damaged in the process
I was thinking that dung was collected, separate from urine, and covered with ashes/charcoal to reduce odor, much like modern composting toilets. The broken ceramics are also a persistent source of minerals. It’s pretty porous and can catch/hold both moisture and plant nutrients. It’s generally even more long lasting than than charcoal
With Terra Preta and with potatoes, quinao, peanuts, and corn (none of which existed in Europe!), that can easily explain their massive populations. Europe's population only exploded after these foods which were only found in the Americas, were brought back to Europe. Here is a more complete list of all the foods the South Americas had which did not exist in Europe (mindblowing!): Potatoes - Originating in the Andean region, potatoes became a staple crop worldwide after their introduction to Europe. Tomatoes - Native to western South America, tomatoes are now a key ingredient in various cuisines globally. Corn (Maize) - First cultivated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico, it spread throughout the Americas and later to Europe. Quinoa - A staple grain of the Andean civilizations, quinoa has gained popularity for its nutritional benefits. Cacao - Used to make chocolate, cacao was cultivated by the Maya and Aztecs before becoming a beloved treat in Europe. Peanuts - Originating in South America, peanuts were a crucial crop for pre-Columbian societies. Cassava (Manioc) - A major source of carbohydrates for indigenous people, cassava is widely grown in tropical regions today. Pineapples - Native to South America, pineapples were first encountered by Europeans in the Caribbean. Passion Fruit - Another South American native, passion fruit is now enjoyed worldwide. Papayas - Indigenous to the tropical regions of the Americas, papayas were unknown in Europe before the Columbian exchange. Avocados - Originating in central Mexico, avocados are now a popular fruit globally. Chili Peppers - Native to the Americas, chili peppers have become integral to many culinary traditions around the world. Vanilla - While primarily associated with Mesoamerica, vanilla is also native to parts of South America.
@@billysavage7816 I'm a scientist by profession (by education, I'm an applied mathematician), and I find this fascinating. There are a lot of things that we have no damn clue about, with terra preta's extraordinary fertility being one of them. Another example of "this stuff works, but we don't know how", is herbal medicine.
![Ancient Amazonian Cities [3 examples...kind of]](/img/n.gif)
If the cities were so large, then large scale waste disposal must have been present or the place would really stink. So if waste was collected in clay pots, and brought to large ditches near town, flipped upside down and burnt, they would have become biochar kilns, then removed and re-used. Cover the burnt with a layer of soil and repeat until the ditch was full. Broken pottery was pots that got damaged in the process
I like your thinking
I was thinking that dung was collected, separate from urine, and covered with ashes/charcoal to reduce odor, much like modern composting toilets. The broken ceramics are also a persistent source of minerals. It’s pretty porous and can catch/hold both moisture and plant nutrients. It’s generally even more long lasting than than charcoal
@@dr.froghopper6711 shh the biochar folks will hear you
i think the pots were intentionally broken to help absorb the water and hold nutrients in place
With Terra Preta and with potatoes, quinao, peanuts, and corn (none of which existed in Europe!), that can easily explain their massive populations. Europe's population only exploded after these foods which were only found in the Americas, were brought back to Europe.
Here is a more complete list of all the foods the South Americas had which did not exist in Europe (mindblowing!):
Potatoes - Originating in the Andean region, potatoes became a staple crop worldwide after their introduction to Europe.
Tomatoes - Native to western South America, tomatoes are now a key ingredient in various cuisines globally.
Corn (Maize) - First cultivated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico, it spread throughout the Americas and later to Europe.
Quinoa - A staple grain of the Andean civilizations, quinoa has gained popularity for its nutritional benefits.
Cacao - Used to make chocolate, cacao was cultivated by the Maya and Aztecs before becoming a beloved treat in Europe.
Peanuts - Originating in South America, peanuts were a crucial crop for pre-Columbian societies.
Cassava (Manioc) - A major source of carbohydrates for indigenous people, cassava is widely grown in tropical regions today.
Pineapples - Native to South America, pineapples were first encountered by Europeans in the Caribbean.
Passion Fruit - Another South American native, passion fruit is now enjoyed worldwide.
Papayas - Indigenous to the tropical regions of the Americas, papayas were unknown in Europe before the Columbian exchange.
Avocados - Originating in central Mexico, avocados are now a popular fruit globally.
Chili Peppers - Native to the Americas, chili peppers have become integral to many culinary traditions around the world.
Vanilla - While primarily associated with Mesoamerica, vanilla is also native to parts of South America.
Im here for the sherds. They seem to be carefully arranged not just dumped perhaps forming layers of water table or something. Any info here or?....
Hi Lost Pony, not sure what you mean by Sherds?
I can say the locations of the terra preta have patterns.
@@oxfordshirehistoryteacher7085 broken pottery pieces. Where do i look to stay up on what we know?
We know the civilizations, the are still there in brazil. The ones not killed off.
Correct a number of I contacted tribes exist.
Why has this not been made in this day and age
Plans are afoot to make it in the UK...
@@oxfordshirehistoryteacher7085 won’t be long eventually we’ll all be plant food
@@oxfordshirehistoryteacher7085 what’s it made from? Us?
@@billysavage7816 I'm a scientist by profession (by education, I'm an applied mathematician), and I find this fascinating. There are a lot of things that we have no damn clue about, with terra preta's extraordinary fertility being one of them. Another example of "this stuff works, but we don't know how", is herbal medicine.