Human settlement / Transportation

Human settlement / Transportation
(1)
- Urban development along the coast resulted in increasing importance of sea transport.
- Local ports were a key part of infrastructure
- The steam engine allowed for more efficient delivery of materials across settlements and therefore allowed urban developments to spread even further.


Human settlement / water
(2)
- for prehistoric populations, it was important to make settlement in close proximity to game, and to large bodies of water.
- large bodies of water (polynyas):
- "The factor linking polynyas and human settlement is the presence of available and potential food resources in the open water area. As Kane (1856: 244) noted “To these spots, the seal, walrus, and the early birds crowd in numbers”."
- In early human settlement, the presence of water indicated presence of food.
(obviously fish, but also other animals that may feed on the fish or drink from the water)


Transport / water
(3)
- A substancial portion of a country's revenue comes from water transport, including both domestic and material transport.
- A water-transport system allows a profitable and well functioning settlement, because of the access to other settlements and other resources.



Works Cited:


"Human Settlements and Transport." Department of Environment and Natural Resources. http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/education/pages/modules/humans/transport_02.html (accessed December 10, 2010).

Schledermann, Peter. "Polynas and prehistoric settlement patterns.." Arctic Institute of North America. arctic.synergiesprairies.ca/arctic/index.php/arctic/article/viewFile/2562/2539 (accessed December 7, 2010).

"BTS | Water Transport Profile." RITA | Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). http://www.bts.gov/publications/national_transportation_statistics/html/table_water_transport_profile.html (accessed December 10, 2010).



Mario Arnone


November 9th 2010