[Terrapreta] This is a very clear, concise, well written article on the basic concepts of Terra preta.

[Kevin Chisholm]

Dear Michael

Michael Bailes wrote:
...del...
> 
> We need a Doctor Who !
> 
> I am sure it is a part o the formula
> It is just that stone-age Amazons were brighter than us !
> m

I think it is perhaps wrong to think of them as being smarter than us. 
If we think like that, then we look for complicated solutions and 
reasons. That is usually a mistake, because usually, only simple things 
work for Man.

As far as I know, there is no indication that the TP People were 
educated or trained. Their mode of living suggests that they lived under 
primitive circumstances. I think it would be safe to assume that they 
were intelligent and very observant, but not especially gifted, and that 
their focus was on survival.

This being the case, they would look for the easiest ways to do things. 
They would not do things that did not have a short term pay-off, in 
terms of crop yields, labor requirements, comfort, safety, shelter, etc. 
They would look for simple things that worked.

Imagine if you were transported back in time to the Brazilian Jungles of 
3,000 years ago... what would you do to enable yourself and your Family 
to survive?

If we think along those lines, we may be able to figure out how they did it.

Best wishes,

Kevin