ABSTRACT
One of the prominent characteristics of historical ecology in Amazonia is interdisciplinarity. Historical ecology is at the heart of the ongoing debate about the degree to which pre-Columbian occupiers have transformed Amazon ecosystems. Such an approach obviously needs a leader to organise works and results of the various disciplines. Because interactions between humans and nature are studied in the long term, archaeologists and associated researchers often lead these programmes. People and their environment must be studied from the point of view of the dynamics of their interaction, considering historical episodes, cultural practices and livelihood strategies. One recent Amazonian example on pre-Columbian raised fields in the Guianas is presented to show how the programme is built and how inferences are elaborated.
