Introduction: Why this volume?

Abstract

Concerns about climate change have arisen in proportion to the recognized effects of human interaction with the animate and inanimate components of the earth and its atmosphere. Those concerns are the foundational rationale for this volume. Climate change has occurred at many scales over millions of years, but humans are relatively recent newcomers. Throughout the tenure of Homo, a gradual shift has occurred in terms of the impact of humans on terrestrial and aquatic plant and animal communities and, more recently, on the atmosphere. Archaeological research provides a chronological framework for the interactions between humans, plants, animals, and the environment. The chapters in this volume focus on past relationships between humans and climate as seen in the bone remains of animals with which humans interacted. Through understanding these past relationships, viable responses to current climate change and environmental variability issues can be developed.