Final answer:
The 'myth of emptiness' posited by Neumann refers to the erroneous belief that certain areas, including those designated as national parks, were uninhabited and could be freely appropriated, ignoring the historical presence and environmental management by indigenous peoples.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Roderick Neumann, the term 'myth of emptiness' refers to the belief or the ideology that certain landscapes or territories, particularly in the context of national parks and preserved areas, were unoccupied and were available for appropriation. This myth became part of the ideological justification for the establishment of protected areas and national parks, perpetuating the idea that such lands were vacant and untouched by human influence, thus ripe for 'discovery' and conservation. In reality, many landscapes deemed 'wilderness' were significantly shaped and inhabited by indigenous people, who were often displaced as a result of this myth. The 'myth of emptiness' fails to acknowledge the complex and extensive ways in which indigenous peoples had influenced and managed ecosystems long before European contact. This misconception is part of a larger narrative that often sees nature as a pristine wilderness, untouched by human hands, when archeological and historical evidence suggests otherwise. It also overlooks the reality that many of the lands appropriated for national parks were inhabited by indigenous communities who were forcibly removed.