A Human-environment Timeline

Bibliographic Data

ID4489111
AuthorsThomas Barclay Larsen (0000-0002-5059-1780), John Harrington (0000-0003-0957-3334), John A Harrington (0000-0003-4066-0735)
Year2021
Volume111
Issue1
Pages95-117
Publication date2021-01-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGeographical Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0016-7428 • E-ISSN: 1931-0846
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00167428.2020.1760719
OpenAlexW3033940251
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited77

Concern about accelerating human impact on Earth systems coincides with discussion of adding a new proposed geologic epoch that would document the Age of Humans. This research contributes a human-environment timeline prototype. Time-period classification provides academics and citizens alike with a common temporal reference frame for discussion and further investigation. A hierarchical human-environment timeline was built from analysis of entries in four geographic encyclopedias. Through grounded theory, an open-ended, qualitative analysis of dates identified important events in the human-environment relationship and major ideas that shaped environmental perception. The resulting timeline prototype features a typology of periods based on five relative timescales: lengthy Durations, Duration Revolutions, intermediate-scale Scenes, Scene Transitions, and shorter Intervals. Four long-term Durations emerge: Survival (2,598,050 to 318,050 BCE), Adaptation (318,050 to 4,050 BCE), Keystone (4,050 BCE to 1945 CE), and Acceleration (1945 CE –). The timeline provides a foundation for further scholarly analysis and thinking

Archaeology · Art · Duration (music · Encyclopedia · Geography · Library science · Perception · Timeline · Typology · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Computer Science · History · Indigenous Studies and Ecology · Land Use and Ecosystem Services · Psychology

Tools

Open DOI