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Abstract

Since 1965 I have made several attempts to estimate the native population of Amazonia in 1492. My original method was to determine rough habitat densities, which project to totals for Greater Amazonia of from 5.1 to 6.8 million. I have rejected this method, given that the denser populations were mostly clustered rather than evenly dispersed. I nevertheless still believe that a total of at least five to six million is reasonable and as many as 10 million when dense terra preta populations are considered.

Keywords: Amazonia, native population, habitat density method, clustering versus dispersal, reconsideration.

Resumen

Desde 1965 he hecho varios intentos para estimar la población nativa de la Amazonía en 1492. Mi método original fue determinar las densidades de cada hábitat, que se proyectan a los totales para la Gran Amazonia de 5.1 a 6. 8 millones. Ahora he rechazado este método, dado que las poblaciones más densas se agruparon sobre todo en vez de uniformemente dispersado. Sin embargo, sigo creyendo que un total de, al menos, cinco y seis millones es razonable, y hasta diez millones cuando se consideran densas poblaciones mantenidas por la terra preta.

Palabras clave: Amazonia, la población nativa, método de densidad de hábitat, agrupación frente a la dispersión, reconsideración

Introduction

How many people were there in the New World when Europeans arrived, or can we at least determine whether there were few or many? "Estimates ... made by competent scholars have an incredible range of difference" (Steward and Faron 1959: 51). Alfred Kroeber (1934: 24) believed there were only 8.4 million, whereas at the other extreme Woodrow Borah (1964: 381; 1976: 17) suggested "upwards of one hundred million" and Henry Dobyns (1966: 415) 90 to 112 million-an example of what has come to be called "a Low Counter"

versus "a High Counter." However, this question is not trivial (Denevan 1976: xxxix) since the size, distribution, and demise of the native population are keys to prehistoric cultural development, environmental impacts, fundamental social and economic issues of the colonial period, and prevailing views about food production.

Regardless of this importance, David Henige in his book, Numbers from Nowhere, argues that it is futile to even attempt estimates, although he himself suggests that 40 million is "not unreasonable" (1998:...

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