Pied Beauty: Wari Tie-Dye Textiles (Ca. 425–1100)
(publicdomainreview.org)
When the lords of the Inca were forced to send tribute to the Spanish, they made their payments, in part, in panes de grana — “cakes” or “loaves” of the cactus-eating cochineal beetle (magno or macnu in Quechua), which when pulverized and mixed with mordant produces a blood-red pigment whose intensity was unrivaled by anything previously known to Europeans.
When the lords of the Inca were forced to send tribute to the Spanish, they made their payments, in part, in panes de grana — “cakes” or “loaves” of the cactus-eating cochineal beetle (magno or macnu in Quechua), which when pulverized and mixed with mordant produces a blood-red pigment whose intensity was unrivaled by anything previously known to Europeans.
Engineered waterways helped Ancient Amazonians became master maize farmers
(sciencenews.org)
Water engineers in ancient South America turned seasonally flooded Amazonian savannas into hotbeds of year-round maize farming.
Water engineers in ancient South America turned seasonally flooded Amazonian savannas into hotbeds of year-round maize farming.
The last Inca bridge master
(bbc.com)
Nearly 500 years after the collapse of the largest empire in the Americas, a single bridge remains from the Inca's extraordinary road system – and it's rewoven every year from grass.
Nearly 500 years after the collapse of the largest empire in the Americas, a single bridge remains from the Inca's extraordinary road system – and it's rewoven every year from grass.
'Royalties for everyone': Suriname president plans to share oil wealth
(theguardian.com)
Suriname’s president has announced a program of “royalties for everyone” as the South American nation plans for a boon from recently discovered oil and gas reserves.
Suriname’s president has announced a program of “royalties for everyone” as the South American nation plans for a boon from recently discovered oil and gas reserves.
Where Glaciers Melt, the Rivers Run Red
(nytimes.com)
As the glaciers of South America retreat, the supply of freshwater is dwindling and its quality is getting worse.
As the glaciers of South America retreat, the supply of freshwater is dwindling and its quality is getting worse.
Notes on Guyana
(mattlakeman.org)
Over the summer, I visited Guyana (pronounced Guy-ana), mostly in and around the capital of Georgetown. I had plans to see far more of the country but they didn’t come to fruition.
Over the summer, I visited Guyana (pronounced Guy-ana), mostly in and around the capital of Georgetown. I had plans to see far more of the country but they didn’t come to fruition.
An Alarming Glimpse into a Future of Historic Droughts
(nytimes.com)
Record dry conditions in South America have led to wildfires, power cuts and water rationing. The world’s largest river system, the Amazon, which sustains some 30 million people across eight countries, is drying up.
Record dry conditions in South America have led to wildfires, power cuts and water rationing. The world’s largest river system, the Amazon, which sustains some 30 million people across eight countries, is drying up.