Native American populations declined between 1492 and 1900 CE, instigated by the European colonization of the Americas. However, the magnitude, tempo, and ecological effects of this depopulation remain the source of enduring debates....
moreNative American populations declined between 1492 and 1900 CE,
instigated by the European colonization of the Americas. However,
the magnitude, tempo, and ecological effects of this depopulation
remain the source of enduring debates. Recently,
scholars have linked indigenous demographic decline, Neotropical
reforestation, and shifting fire regimes to global changes in
climate, atmosphere, and the Early Anthropocene hypothesis. In
light of these studies, we assess these processes in coniferdominated
forests of the Southwest United States. We compare
light detection and ranging data, archaeology, dendrochronology,
and historical records from the Jemez Province of New Mexico to
quantify population losses, establish dates of depopulation events,
and determine the extent and timing of forest regrowth and fire
regimes between 1492 and 1900. We present a new formula for the
estimation of Pueblo population based on architectural remains and
apply this formula to 18 archaeological sites in the Jemez Province.
A dendrochronological study of remnant wood establishes dates of
terminal occupation at these sites. By combining our results with
historical records, we report a model of pre- and post-Columbian
population dynamics in the Jemez Province. Our results indicate that
the indigenous population of the Jemez Province declined by 87%
following European colonization but that this reduction occurred
nearly a century after initial contact. Depopulation also triggered
an increase in the frequency of extensive surface fires between 1640
and 1900. Ultimately, this study illustrates the quality of integrated
archaeological and paleoecological data needed to assess the links
between Native American population decline and ecological change
after European contact.
