Demographic Collapse
Indian Peru, 1520–1620

A thorough examination of the catastrophic numerical decline of the native population of Peru, first published in 1982.

Noble David Cook (Author)

9780521239950, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 25 February 1982

322 pages
21.6 x 14 x 2.2 cm, 0.56 kg

While many scholars have been interested in the size of the Indian population of the Americas at the time of first contact with Europeans, this book, first published in 1982, was the first to make a thorough examination of the question. Focusing on Peru, Professor Cook estimates population size on the basis of archaeology, carrying capacity of the agricultural systems, disease mortality, depopulation ratios, and census projection. He also analyses the catastrophic population decline that resulted from contact with Europeans, and compares this experience with that of the coastal region and the Andean highlands.

List of tables, figures and maps
Preface
Introduction: the problem in perspective
Part I. Peru's Preconquest Population: 1. The ecological approach
2. Population and archaeology
3. Depopulation ratios
4. Estimates from social organization
5. Disease mortality models
6. Census projections
7. Conclusion
Part II. Demographic Collapse: 8. First contact: north coast
9. Center of Spanish control: middle coast
10. Disease, earthquakes, and droughts: south coast
11. Intermediate area: northern highlands
12. Mining and population in the central sierra
13. The Indian heartland: southern highlands
14. An overview
Abbreviations used in notes
Notes
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Social & cultural history [HBTB]