[extropy-chat] Collapse, by Jared Diamond

[Keith Henson]

At 11:35 AM 3/11/2006 -0800, Hal wrote:

> > "There may not have actually been any collapse," Lipo told
> > LiveScience. "With only 500 years, there's no reason to believe there
> > had to have been a huge [population] growth."

The general belief is that the founders numbered about 20 and that the peak 
population was about 20,000.  (Based on the productivity of the lithic 
mulched gardens that covered the hills.)

A factor of 1000 is 10 doublings, or one every 50 years.  Given that human 
populations are known to be able double in about 15 years, 500 years is 
plenty of time.

I am surprised there is argument about timing.  Was there no carbon dating 
done on the lake core material?

Keith Henson