Shepard Krech debunks the myth of the "Ecological Indian" who lived in harmony with nature. Krech argues that Native Americans contributed to megafaunal extinctions through overhunting. He cites evidence that overhunting led to the extinction of 13 bird species. Krech also notes that Native Americans used fire extensively to destroy animal habitats and facilitate hunting, and that the profitable deerskin trade led to the mass extermination of white-tailed deer. Despite images of untouched nature, Krech concludes that the landscape was culturally and anthropogenically shaped by Native American use of fire.

1. Shepard Krech

2. 1. What is Shepard Krech’s thesis? In outlining his thesis, provide at least three
examples from the book as supporting evidence.
In his book Shepard Krech debunks the myth of the so-called “Ecological Indian”, who,
according to common opinion, used to live in harmony with nature. The author
concludes that the aboriginals cannot be considered as the examples of wise use of
natural resources. Krech uses a number of examples to support his thesis. Thus, he
argues that even before the arrival of Europeans, the natives had a hand in the
megafaunal extinction that occurred during the Pleistocene.
The author notes that the excessive hunting of Paleoindians resulted in the extinction of
more than thirteen endemic bird species (Krech 59). Furthermore, Krech notes that the
aboriginals extensively used fire to destroy the natural habitats of animals, which also
facilitated hunting. In addition, it is expedient to mention the profitable deerskin trade,
which was the reason of the mass extermination of white-tailed deer. Krech
emphasizes that such killing was necessary “to satisfy evolving consumer needs.”
(171).
2. Chapter 4 ends with this sentence: “Despite European images of an untouched
Eden, this nature was cultural not virgin, anthropogenic not primeval, and nowhere is

3. this more evident than in the Indian uses of fire” (page 122). In light of the discussion in
the chapter, explain this conclusion.
According to Shepard Krech, “the evidence that Indians lit fires that then were allowed
to burn destructively and without regard to ecological consequences is abundant.” (120)
Thus, judging by the facts presented by the author, the legend about the virgin land
inhabited by Indians does not hold water. The author states that American Indians
unthinkingly resorted to fire-raising, which was the most convenient way to improve their
access to wild animals. Krech also notes that it was a common practice to surround the
large animals, such as deer or buffaloes, by fire. Moreover, Indians ignited fire to
improve the grazing conditions. The author presents the eyewitness evidence
suggesting that the fires often covered the vast territories.
According to Krech, setting fires was a regular practice for Indians inhabiting the Plains.
These tribes also used fire to clear the lands from undesirable plants. The fires, “which
were sometimes hundreds of miles across”(126), devastated the ….