[Aztlan] The Amazing Super-dirt of the Ancient Amazon

[michael ruggeri]

Listeros,

National Geographic has posted an article on the amazing man-made  
"super-dirt" or "terra Preta" ancient Amazonians used to create a  
thriving civilization in the Amazon jungle in advance of their special  
tonight on these ancient Amazonians on the NG Channel.

Scientists are now finding out that the dirt was a mixture of  
charcoal, dirt, pottery, human excrement and other waste. They are now  
trying to re-create the mixture which could help fight global warming  
and feed the hungry. This "dark earth" is not of the natural yellowish  
color of the regular soil in the jungle. The terra preta attracts  
fungi and other microorganisms that make the soil fertile over long  
periods. This soil is still working today to reduce acidity in the  
jungle soil. This soil can reduce greenhouse gases by trapping carbon  
that would ordinarily be released into the atmosphere and keep it  
underground thus helping end slash and burn farming which does add to  
global warming.

National Geographic has the story here with a video;
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/11/081119-lost-cities-amazon.html

A tiny URL:
http://tinyurl.com/6chgox

Mike Ruggeri




Mike Ruggeri's The Ancient Americas Breaking News
http://web.mac.com/michaelruggeri