Trail Trees

Living Artifacts (Vivifacts) of Eastern North America

Dados Bibliográficos

ID6144491
AutoresN C Kawa (0000-0002-0246-4445, Ball State University, autor correspondente), Bradley Painter (Ball State University), Cailín E Murray (0000-0002-9574-7830, Ball State University)
Ano2015
Volume6
Fascículo1
Páginas183-188
Data de publicação2015-09-17
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoEthnobiology Letters (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2159-8126 • E-ISSN: 2159-8126
EditoraSociety of Ethnobiology (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.14237/ebl.6.1.2015.410
OpenAlexW1733757985
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas7
Referências citadas10

Living trees historically modified by human populations, oftentimes referred to as “culturally modified trees” (CMTs), are found throughout the North American landscape. In eastern North America specifically, indigenous populations bent thousands of trees to mark trails, and some of these still exist in the region today. In this article, we present a synthesis of current knowledge on trail trees, including their speculated functions, formation, and selection. We also examine the theoretical implications of these living artifacts (or vivifacts) and how they may open new avenues for investigation by archaeologists, environmental historians, and ethnobiologists. To conclude, we make a call for expanded public recognition and documentation of trail trees, discussing the need for their incorporation into forest and park management plans

Archaeology · Biology · Documentation · Environmental ethics · Ethnology · Geography · Indigenous · Archaeology and Natural History · Computer Science · History · Tree-ring climate responses · Wildlife Ecology and Conservation · Ecology