Forest clearances sealed ancient civilisation's downfall
Lessons to be learned from Nazca civilisation, which exposed itself to floods after mass deforestation, research saysThe ancient Nazca civilisation of Peru, made famous by the giant geoglyphs it left etched in the soil, partly triggered its own downfall by chopping down forests and creating a desert, according to researchers.The society vanished 1,500 years ago after flourishing for centuries, during which it made sophisticated arts and crafts as well as the famous Nazca lines. A study published today suggests its collapse was caused by the clearing of huarango trees, which had maintained an ecological balance in that corner of South America.The Nazca wanted land for corn and other crops and did not realise the forests were crucial to soil fertility and moisture, said the Cambridge University-led report. "In time, gradual woodland clearance crossed an ecological threshold - sharply defined in such desert environments - exposing the landscape to the region's extraordinary desert winds and the effects of El Ni?
Forest clearances sealed ancient civilisation's downfall
(PhysOrg.com) -- An ancient South American civilisation which disappeared around 1,500 years ago helped to cause its own demise by damaging the fragile ecosystem that held it in place, a study ...
Mon 2 Nov 09 from PhysOrg
Logging caused Nazca collapse
New evidence suggests the fate of the ancient Nazca society of Peru was entwined with that of the huarango tree.
Mon 2 Nov 09 from BBC News
Why the Nasca's big mistake was to cut down the huarango tree
At the height of their power, the Nasca had mastered the craft of weaving elaborate textiles and the art of painting fine, multicoloured pottery. They etched giant figures in the desert that ...
Sun 1 Nov 09 from The Independent
Ancient Mystery of Nascan Disappearance Solved
The ancient South American Nasca civilization may have caused its own demise by clear-cutting huge swaths of forest
Thu 5 Nov 09 from FOXNews
Ancient Civilization Cut Path to Demise, Mon 2 Nov 09 from Livescience
Ancient Peruvians turned land to desert
Lessons to be learned from Nazca civilisation, which exposed itself to floods after mass deforestation, research saysThe ancient Nazca civilisation of Peru, made famous by the giant geoglyphs ...
Mon 2 Nov 09 from Guardian.co.uk
Deforestation sped demise of Nasca in Peru: study
BARCELONA, Spain (Reuters) - The mysterious people who etched the "Nasca Lines" across deserts in Peru hastened their own demise by clearing forests 1,500 years ago, according to a study on ...
Mon 2 Nov 09 from Reuters
Peru's Nazca culture was brought down with its trees
Deforestation left nothing to hinder ancient floodwaters on the desert plain, researchers find. Modern Peru could learn from the civilization's collapse, they say. The Nazca people of Peru ...
Mon 2 Nov 09 from L.A. Times
Lesson of the Ancient Nazcas: Deforestation Can Kill a Civilization
From an ancient Peruvian civilization comes this warning: Don’t chop ...
Tue 3 Nov 09 from Discover Magazine
How the ancient Nazca civilisation sealed its own fate by cutting down forests
The Nazca people, famed for giant animal drawings most clearly visible from the air, became unable to grow enough food in nearby valleys because the lack of trees made the climate too dry.
Mon 2 Nov 09 from Daily Mail
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