Showing papers on "Human settlement published in 1974"

Barbed bone points from Central Sudan and the age of the “Early Khartoum” tradition

Abstract: Barbed bone points, typical of those from the early Holocene settlement of “Early Khartoum”, have been found at three sites along the White Nile, south of Khartoum. The form of the fragments and the stratigraphy of the sites throw light on the environment and technology of the early settlements along this part of the Nile.

Helminthiasis as a Measure of Cultural Change in the Amazon Basin

Abstract: Fecal samples were analyzed for helminth eggs to determine level of helminthiasis in representative populations of Tucuna Indians from Puerto Narino and Petuna, Colombia. Although both populations were hyperendemic for roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm, Indians from Petuna village appear to have more severe helminthiasis. Modernization of Puerto Narino has contributed to a reduced incidence and worm burden in the inhabitants. THE EFFECTS of increasing population density on culture in the Amazon Basin have been discussed by Meggers (1971, 1973) and Sioli (1973). Surveys of intestinal parasitic infections in Amazonian Indian tribes were listed by Lowenstein (1973) in his discussion of the biological adaptations of aboriginal man. However, interpretation of behavioral and cultural adaptions of people in terms of data based on parasitic diseases was only recently recognized by Kochar (1973) as an emerging research strategy in social biology. Recent development of natural resources in the Amazon Basin (Sanger 1969 and Smith 1971) has prompted Latin American governments to establish towns along the Amazon River and its tributaries. In Colombia, settlements are encouraged along rivers in the Leticia Corridor. To encourage settlement and extend central government influence, the Colombian government has provided certain villages with piped water, electricity, street and sidewalk improvements, schools, protection and law enforcement, and limited medical and dental care. The result has been rapid growth in existing settlements, the establishment of new villages, and the gradual grouping of isolated Indian families into larger communities. This study compares intestinal helminth infections of people living in two villages, Puerto Narino and Petuna, in southeastern Colombia, to point out the use of helminthiasis as a measure of cultural change since the addition of government facilities. Both villages were initially inhabited by Tucuna Indians brought together from smaller isolated family groups by increasing contact with Europeans. About 1967, Puerto Narino began receiving government support for construction of more modern facilities. Petuna, having a much smaller population and being situated farther from the nearest large city (Leticia), received no such support. Today, Puerto Narino is the provincial capital of Amazonas, Colombia, while Petuna has remained essentially unchanged. Puerto Narino and Petuna are situated in the "habitation zone" (after Camargo 1958, as illustrated in Sioli 1973) of the lower Loreto-Yacu River near its junction with the Amazon River in southeastern Colombia (fig. 1). Elevation in both villages is approximately 95 m above sea level, and the climate in this region is typically tropical, warm and humid, with an average daily temperature of 26.6? C and an annual rainfall exceeding 305 cm. Definite wet and dry seasons occur with little seasonal variation in temperature (perhaps 2.70 C). The predominant soil in both villages is kaolinitic yellow latosol which is almost always acid. The vegetation is tropical forest (Richards 1952).

Renovation of a Squatter Settlement in Colombia

Abstract: T HERE HAS BEEN much research on squatter settlements in Latin America but few studies have dealt with government programs aimed at renovating invasion barrios. Historically most studies have discussed the "marginal" or "adaptive" nature of these settlements.' Regardless of the merit of this controversy, Colombian governmental agencies are implementing experimental programs to integrate the residents of these barrios into the urban society. In doing so they are seeking to tap the desire of these populations to become full participants in the urban milieu. Colombian renovation programs combine public resources with the labor and capital and the organizational resources of local inhabitants in "self-help" programs. Given the resistance of the settlers to be moved

The Effects of Herbicides in South Vietnam. Part B. Working Papers: Economic Stress and Settlement Changes

Abstract: : The principal objective of the investigation was to ascertain some of the effects that the widespread spraying of herbicides in South Vietnam (SVN) had upon altering population distributions, patterns of settlement (isolated farmsteads, hamlets, villages), and agricultural and other economic activities surrounding the settlements, thus giving some idea of man's ability to continue to use the environment. Using the records of remote-sensing, 25 study areas representing six different socioeconomic types of settlements were studied.

Notes on the ethnohistory of northern luzon

Abstract: The mountain peoples of Northern Luzon present interesting problems in the relationship of cultural diversity, adaptation, and response to culture contact. Some new archival material suggests that differences in settlement patterns which some scholars have thought were the result of successive migrations or cultural heritage actually derived from the impact of Spanish military pressure. The evidence tends to show that nucleated settlements formerly had a wider distribution in Northern Luzon than is now the case and that the Ifugao, now grouped into small hamlets, once lived in towns. Along the slopes, foothills, and valleys of the great mountain ranges of Northern Luzon in the Philippines live nine major ethnic groups, now more or less becoming assimilated to the ways of their lowland neighbors. Some of these such as the Isneg, Gaddang, and Northern Kalinga live in small groups, sustained primarily by rice grown in unirrigated plots which have been partially cleared of forest growth. After two or three years of planting these plots are fallowed and allowed to regain their fertility ("swiddens"). Others such as the Bontoc and Northern Kankanai construct magnificent irrigated rice terraces which extend, step-like, from the river valleys to the tops of mountains. Unlike the swidden groups, they live in large nucleated settlements ("towns") that, in turn, are divided into wards (ato), each with a stone platform which serves as a council and ceremonial center. Also usually present are separate sleeping huts for unmarried men and women which assume importance in courtship activities. The role played by stone architecture is one diagnostic of these groups - forming the walls and paths of the towns, dividing wards, and used in the construction of the ceremonial platforms. The Ifugao, one of the other great terracing peoples of Northern Luzon, occupy a somewhat intermediate position with respect to the first two groups. Though they are extremely skilled terrace builders, they live in small,

The Pre-colonial Development of Yoruba Towns

Abstract: In spite of their size, many Yoruba settlements fail to meet the criteria of urban status as defined in the more developed countries of the world. Dickinson defines a town in Western Europe and North America as ‘a compact settlement engaged primarily in non-agricultural occupations’1. To this definition other writers have added such criteria as specialisation of economic activities, division of labour and factory-centred production. Very few large centres of population in Nigeria conform to these criteria. Most of them are compact settlements but a sizeable proportion of their population is still engaged in agricultural occupation. Moreover, the level of economic specialisation and division of labour in them is low and factory-centred production is at best very rudimentary.