People and Plants in Ancient Eastern North America

The environmental diversity of North America is astounding—from circumpolar tundra with a small number of plants over a few centimeters tall to the lush, semitropical forests of the southeastern United States and Caribbean Basin. No less remarkable is the record of plant usage by the various indigenous people who have been living there for more than 12,000 years. For the vast majority of this time, their livelihood—food, shelter, fuel, and medicine—depended on their knowledge and use of the plants that surrounded them.

The most comprehensive overview in more than half a century on the interconnectedness of people and plants, People and Plants in Ancient Eastern North America presents the latest information on three major topics: the use of native plants; the history of crops and their uses; and the impact of humans on their environment. It contributes not only to our understanding of the lives of prehistoric people but also serves as a guide for designing environmentally sustainable lives today.