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Rain-fed agriculture thrived despite climate degradation in the pre-Hispanic arid Andes.

ABSTRACT: Archaeological research suggests significant human occupation in the arid Andean highlands during the 13th to 15th centuries, whereas paleoclimatic studies reveal prolonged drier and colder conditions during that period. Which subsistence strategy supported local societies in this harsh environment? Our field and aerial surveys of archaeological dwelling sites, granaries, and croplands provide the first evidence of extended pre-Hispanic agriculture supporting dense human populations in the arid Andes of Bolivia. This unique agricultural system associated with quinoa cultivation was unirrigated, consisting of simple yet extensive landscape modifications. It relied on highly specific environmental knowledge and a set of water-saving practices, including microterracing and biennial fallowing. This intense agricultural activity developed during a period of unfavorable climatic change on a regional and global scale, illustrative of efficient adaptive strategies to cope with this climatic change.

SUBMITTER: Cruz P

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5738230 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Rain-fed agriculture thrived despite climate degradation in the pre-Hispanic arid Andes.

Cruz Pablo P Winkel Thierry T Ledru Marie-Pierre MP Bernard Cyril C Egan Nancy N Swingedouw Didier D Joffre Richard R

Science advances 20171220 12

Archaeological research suggests significant human occupation in the arid Andean highlands during the 13th to 15th centuries, whereas paleoclimatic studies reveal prolonged drier and colder conditions during that period. Which subsistence strategy supported local societies in this harsh environment? Our field and aerial surveys of archaeological dwelling sites, granaries, and croplands provide the first evidence of extended pre-Hispanic agriculture supporting dense human populations in the arid ...[more]

PMID: 29279865

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Dataset Information

Rain-fed agriculture thrived despite climate degradation in the pre-Hispanic arid Andes.

Publications

Rain-fed agriculture thrived despite climate degradation in the pre-Hispanic arid Andes.

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