[Terrapreta] Terra Preta Signatures

[Sean K. BArry]

Hi Dr. Reddy,

I wanted to suggest that you might read "Guns, Germs, and Steel", by Jared Diamond.  He has done a great deal work in the historical science of human history.  The read may help answer some of the questions you just asked.

Regards,

SKB
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Saibhaskar Nakka<mailto:saibhaskarnakka at gmail.com> 
  To: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org<mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org> 
  Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 11:10 AM
  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Terra Preta Signatures


  Dear Kevin Chisholm, Gerald Van Koeverden, Robert Klien, and all, 
   
  Thank you. 
   
  Kevin: A Pottery Technology that pyrolysed wood, and heated their kilns with
  pyrolysis gases. Is there any evidence to suggest that such technology
  was employed?

  This technology is employed even now in the rural villages in India. The pictures I have posted in the website are live examples. I am sure this practice was there since more than 5000 years, evidences are there from Harappa and Mohenjodharo civilisations (Indian subcontinent) and many more around the world including Terra Preta of Amazon. 

  Kevin: "Central Agriculture" where animals were confined and manure was
  collected. Is there any evidence to suggest that such animal tending
  practises were employed?

  The first prosperous civilisations in India, adopted mixed farming (agriculture+animals). It is still common in India. Due to climate change / recurring drought conditions majority of the people in the semi-arid areas are adopting more and more livestock as compared in the past, for coping. 

  Gerald: Did you did into the soil profile in thosekiln locations to see the soil is black like in the terra petras?  
  Yes the soil profile in those kiln locations is black. 
  I wish all the best in your future terra preta experiments. 
  Gerald:(I'm just curious.  Since your last name 'Reddy', are you from that caste in Hyderabad?  I just spent a year working there, and every other person I met seemed to have that last name!)
  (Yes, you are right, Reddy is the suffix for majority of the telugu speaking farmer communities in Andhra Pradesh State) 

  Robert: It has been common practice and acknowledged safe practice to dispose of ash and other combustion practice in manures and soils since time immemorial everywhere.
  Yes you are right, no useful material is wasted in the villages. Although the villagers many not understand the intricacies, as we do. 

  Dr. Sai Bhaskar Reddy
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