35th Annual Student Research Conference
Effects of Neolithic Agriculture on the Irish Environment and Population
Riley E. Schmidt
Dr. Brian Ott and Dr. Amber Johnson, Faculty Mentors
Agricultural practices have had an undeniable impact on our environment and in turn on us as humans. Now, a growing number of scholars are realizing that it was true at agriculture’s earliest inception. We know that fertilizers and land clearing practices have had negative effects on the environment and this can be seen in many societies around the world. Early agriculturalists likely had a similar effect on the environment as well. In this study, archeology reports and climate data were used to determine the impact that agriculture had on the environment and population of Neolithic Ireland. It was found that there is a possible correlation between particular farming practices and a decline in population around the middle of the Neolithic, as well as rapidly changing climate patterns that would have affected the population and agriculture.
Keywords: Agriculture practices, Neolithic, Ireland
Topic(s):Anthropology
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Session: 103-5
Location: SUB GEO B
Time: 9:30