01890nas a2200193   4500008004100000245011900041210006900160300001200229490000700241520123800248653002701486653002801513653002101541653002801562653002301590100001701613700001801630856004801648       2013                        eng d00aReevaluating What We Know About the Histories of Maize in Northeastern North America: A Review of Current Evidence0 aReevaluating What We Know About the Histories of Maize in Northe  a175-2160 v213 a<div class="abstract-content formatted">
<p>The adoption of maize in northeastern North America is often seen as a catalyst for the development of settled village life. In this review we develop a theoretical framework centered on shifting-balance theory (SBT) and domesticated landscapes through which to understand the context for the adoption of maize agriculture in the Northeast. We review micro- and macrobotanical evidence and stable carbon isotope data from various sources to reevaluate maize histories and adoption trajectories. These data are coupled with contributions of subregionally significant predecessor plants, such as those constituting the Eastern Agricultural Complex, and wild rice. We find no evidence for rapid transitions to settled village life as a result of maize adoption. Maize was grown for centuries before settled village agricultural systems evolved. It was grown for a sufficiently long time that the potential for local selection leading to Northern Flint is a viable working hypothesis. We call for a refocusing of research questions and a systematic application of contemporary techniques as a means by which to strengthen future inferences based on comparative information sets.</p>
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10aAgricultural evolution10aDomesticated landscapes10apaleoethnobotany10aShifting-balance theory10aZea mays ssp. mays1 aHart, J., P.1 aLovis, W., A.  uhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10814-012-9062-9