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Amazonian Dark Earths are not only a testament to the vanished civilizations of the Amazon Basin, but may provide the answer to how the large, sophisticated societies were able to sustain intensive agriculture in an environment with mostly infertile soils. Locally known as Terra Preta de Indio or Indian black earth, these anomalous soils are even today fertile and highly productive. Though clearly associated with pre-European settlements questions remain whether the Dark Earths were intentionally produced or merely a by-product of habitation activities. This publication provides a comprehensive review of our current understanding of these fascinating soils: their origin, properties, and management through time. These new and multidisciplinary perspectives by leading experts on Amazonian Dark Earths may pave the way for the next revolution of soil management in the humid tropics.

Anthropogenic soils --- Agriculture. --- Anthropogenic soils. --- Anthropology. --- Archaeology. --- Life sciences. --- Nature Conservation. --- Soil conservation. --- Agriculture --- Earth & Environmental Sciences --- Agriculture - General --- Soils --- Nature conservation. --- Soil science. --- Life Sciences. --- Soil Science & Conservation. --- Archeology --- Anthropology --- Auxiliary sciences of history --- History --- Antiquities --- Human beings --- Conservation of nature --- Nature --- Nature protection --- Protection of nature --- Conservation of natural resources --- Applied ecology --- Conservation biology --- Endangered ecosystems --- Natural areas --- Conservation of soil --- Erosion control, Soil --- Soil erosion --- Soil erosion control --- Agricultural conservation --- Soil management --- Pedology (Soil science) --- Earth sciences --- Farming --- Husbandry --- Industrial arts --- Life sciences --- Food supply --- Land use, Rural --- Conservation --- Control --- Prevention --- Anthropogenically transformed soils --- Anthrosols --- Effect of human beings on --- Anthropogenic soils - Amazon River Watershed