FROM KATZER TO TERRA PRETA NOVA

Although they were first described in the 17^th century, it was not until 1903 that Fredrich Katzer published the first results coupling field description and laboratory analysis of distinctive anthrosols now termed Amazonian Dark Earths (ADE). Since that time the pace of research and interpretation of these soils have varied widely. Now, instead of a merely a curiosity, they are viewed by a variety of disciplines as an essential component of any discussion of sustainability in Amazonia – past, present, and future. The geoarchaeological investigation of the ADE is essential to their understanding and will be reviewed in this paper.