Introduction

This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts covered in the preceding chapters of this book. The book talks about an updated, continentwide treatment of indigenous South American cultures that includes consistent reference to the sociocultural and archaeological information. It also provides information about the groups that have inhabited the different geographic areas of the continent. Following the theoretical lead of Steward and several other anthropological scholars, the book argues that data from both recent and ancient adaptations in each major area provide the strongest, if not the only reasonable, basis for understanding continuity and change in that area. Moreover, given the evidence of continuity in some adaptations over time, the book discusses that the recent groups in a particular geographic area of the continent may well enhance the understanding of their ancestors in reference to the much more limited material data available so far.