Archaeology was not taught in Latin American universities as a major field, but there was some interest among history students about the prehistory of their countries. Taking advantage of that interest, Meggers and Evans sought out individuals who might study archaeology further. Dr. Meggers just returned from Ecuador where she talked at the university, encouraging and teaching Equadorians. Often specialists in a variety of sciences work together to create new understandings. Research done by Dr. Meggers and Dr. Evans, has been combined with research being done by climatic modelers to better understand the El Ni o conditions.
Climatology is a new science.
The climatic modelers include that information in their thinking as they predict the global impact of El Ni o and the probability of a mega Ni o. Dr. Meggers finds value in these studies into the past. She suggests societies can profit by the mistakes of the past, but they should not focus on the wrongs. Archaeology can demonstrate problems and possibilities of people as they interact with their environment. Societies and civilizations have changed regions and been changed by them. Using all of a particular resource in an area has caused groups to move elsewhere, for example.