WHAT ARTIFACTS?: EXPLORING HOW GEOARCHAEOLOGISTS INFER PAST HUMAN BEHAVIOR
Dr. Anthony Tricarico
Geoarchaeology is an interdisciplinary field combining the methods of geosciences and archaeology. This presentation explores how geoarchaeologists play a key role in enhancing our understanding of past human-environmental interaction and its role in shaping contemporary landscape dynamics. We will use recent research in Antigua, West Indies as a case study to explore the impact of past human behavior on the contemporary ecology of the island and socio-economic livelihoods of farmers within the Ayer’s Creek and Indian Creek Basins. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the entire island was dedicated to the production of sugarcane, forming what has been dubbed a “commercial revolution,” that invariably transformed global livelihoods. Today, the legacy of sugarcane monoculture across the island has contributed to increased rates of landscape instability and soil quality loss. The application of methods allows us to explore how historical actions are often intertwined with contemporary socio-ecological systems.
Dr. Anthony Tricarico, Ph.D., RPA is a Senior Archaeologist and a cultural resource lead for the Ardurra Cultural Resource Management (CRM) Group. He has over 10 years of experience managing and delivering archaeological projects across North America, the Caribbean, and Europe within both CRM and academia. Dr. Tricarico specializes in assisting clients across the preservation, transmission, land development, renewable energy, and transmission sectors navigate federal, state, and local cultural resource laws and regulations. He has managed projects across the country including the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas Virginia, and West Virginia.