El Niño, Catastrophism, and Culture Change in Ancient America
Edited by Daniel H. Sandweiss
Edited by Jeffrey Quilter
El Niño is an extreme climate perturbation that periodically changes weather throughout the globe, often with dire consequences. First recognized in Peru, El Niño events are best known and documented there. This book summarizes research on the nature of El Niño events in the Americas and details specific historic and prehistoric patterns in Peru and elsewhere. By also looking at other catastrophic natural events in the ancient New World, the book illustrates how scientific archaeology can serve pure research as well as provide information for contemporary issues.
Daniel H. Sandweiss is Professor of Anthropology and Quaternary and Climate Studies and Dean and Associate Provost for Graduate Studies at the University of Maine.
Jeffrey Quilter is Deputy Director of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University.