Recent archaeological discoveries in the Amazon region are altering common perceptions on pre-Columbian indigenous populations as well as our understanding of Amazonian ecology. The presence of terra preta soil scattered throughout the Amazon Basin carries major implications – both for pre-Columbian indigenous populations of the region and for modern-day agricultural practices in the tropics. In a rapidly changing physical world, with the effects of deforestation and increasing atmospheric CO2 levels, the potential of anthropogenic soils and biochar are incredibly valuable.
