[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989) › v1.c19.s1.24 # An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c19.s1.24 An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c19.s1.24 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c19.s1.24](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c19.s1.24) B. Problem of ecology: The problem of ecology is not limited to the investigation of natural-environmental factors alone. The basic idea is to understand the nature of interaction between soil and climate (habitat), the entire complex of living organisms including man himself (biome) and the phenomenon of human culture. Detailed natural-scientific and archaeological research is necessary to reach this understanding. In India research of this kind is still rare and limited to the possibility and nature of climatic changes since the past and analyses of archaeological animal and plant remains. As far as the issue of climatic change and plant remains is concerned the result of modern research has been thus summed up by Vishnu-Mittre, 1974, p. 43. 'It is of particular interest that the present and past plant life in the vicinities of the archaeological sites has remained more or less the same, and that the climate during the last five thousand years has remained unchanged in most parts of India. The fuels and timbers of which remains have been found at the archaeological sites were the result of human selection.' At the same time it should be admitted that there has been considerable biotic change due to human interference. This point may be driven home by a reference to the drying and silting up of many rivers in historical and recent periods due to deforestation leading to the erosion of soil-cover in the areas of river headwaters. The consequence of human interference with forest cover has led to distinct changes in the faunal pattern of different areas. For instance, the Chalcolithic fauna of every region shows a diversity which has indisputably shrunk in recent years (Classon, 1977, pp. 241-89). The point that may have emerged is that the basic ecological issues of ancient settlements have to be studied on the micro level. - [Previous: v1.c19.s1.23](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c19.s1.23) - [Next: v1.c19.s1.25](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c19.s1.25) - [Up: v1.c19.s1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c19.s1) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c19.s1.24](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c19.s1.24) · Pramāṇa