[Terrapreta] The Science of Terra Preta Formation

[Sean K. Barry]

Hi Kevin,

There is much archeolgical evidence about pottery shards in TP. As far 
as I know, nobody has presented a proven, credible explanation for the 
presence or purpose or significance of the pottery shards found in TP.

I think it might be more productive to observe what pottery evidence there is and speculate to form a hypothesis for how it was used, rather than speculate or hypothesize a use and then go looking for evidence to support that speculation.  The reason I say this is that the evidence supports the whole process, development of the hypothesis and support of that hypothesis.  It is a weaker argument only to confirm the consequence or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_ignorance<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_ignorance>

Regards,

SKB
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Kevin Chisholm<mailto:kchisholm at ca.inter.net> 
  To: Tom Miles<mailto:tmiles at trmiles.com> 
  Cc: 'Terra Preta'<mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org> 
  Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:28 PM
  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] The Science of Terra Preta Formation


  Dear Tom

  Tom Miles wrote:
  > Kevin,
  >
  > One example is petrography used by paleobotanists and archaeologists to
  > identify the mineral components in terra preta pottery shards, as described
  > in references like Amazonian Dark Earths. 
  >   

  That good work is more of an observation of what we can see now about 
  Terra Preta, but it tells little or nothing about how Terra Preta was 
  made, or how to make it now. That is more "The Archaeology of Terra 
  Preta", rather than "The Science of Terra Preta Formation."

  Once a credible theory or hypothesis for Terra Preta Formation is 
  presented, THEN we will know what archeological evidence to look for to 
  confirm or negate the hypothesis.

  There is much archeolgical evidence about pottery shards in TP. As far 
  as I know, nobody has presented a proven, credible explanation for the 
  presence or purpose or significance of the pottery shards found in TP.

  Do you have a credible explanation for why the pottery shards, as 
  Archaelogical realities, are found in Amazonian TP?

  Best wishes,

  Kevin
  > Tom
  >
  >   
  >> -----Original Message-----
  >> From: Kevin Chisholm [mailto:kchisholm at ca.inter.net]
  >> Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2008 2:10 PM
  >> To: Tom Miles
  >> Cc: 'Terra Preta'
  >> Subject: The Science of Terra Preta Formation
  >>
  >> Dear Tom
  >>
  >> Tom Miles wrote:
  >>     
  >>> ...del...
  >>>
  >>> We've had both science and speculation about how it all began in
  >>>       
  >> Terra
  >>     
  >>> Preta de Indio in the Amazons and how it can be recreated. And we've
  >>> tried to maintain a modest reading list/bibliography on the website.
  >>>
  >>> http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/biblio<http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/biblio>
  >>>
  >>>       
  >> What would you say is the Science of Terra Preta formation?
  >>
  >> Thanks.
  >>
  >> Kevin
  >>
  >>     
  >
  >
  >
  >   



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