The Abundance of Protein in Amazonia: A Reply to Gross

A critical examination of Gross's hypothesis that aboriginal Amazonian populations were limited to low levels by lack of adequate protein resources concludes that (1) evidence either for or against the hypothesis is still in short supply; (2) the role of vegetable protein in aboriginal diets needs much more attention and may ultimately overthrow the protein‐limitation hypothesis; (3) the abundance of animal protein in the tropical forest has likely also been underestimated; (4) the abundance of people in precontact Amazonia may well have been underestimated as well. [Amazonia, protein, cultural ecology, limiting factors, population].