Agricultural Land use and Landscapes in the Argentinean Andes

KORSTANJE, MARÍA ALEJANDRA; CUENYA, PATRICIA; WILLIAMS, VERÓNICA

Dublin, Iranda

Congreso; WAC 6; 2008

WAC

Based on field and soils data we discuss some new trends in agricultural archaeological studies from an interdisciplinary perspective that includes Archaeology, Soil Sciences and Paleoethnobotany. We present a case study in Calchaquí valley (northwestern Argentina) where the archaeological landscape is dominated by vast agricultural areas, with structures for the control of water and erosion, irrigation canals, terraces and fields. During the 900-1400 AD, this land was “guarded” by fortified sites, known as pukaras.  Since the presence of the Inca in the region is reflected in sites placed away from the former local settlements, we expect a different pattern in agricultural landscapes too. It is very likely that the production has been maximized with the introduction of new agricultural facilities, other construction techniques and the enlargement of the surface area. An absolute chronology of agricultural facilities is also presented to distinguish the incaic prevalence of the previous agricultural structure.