Assessment Questions 8.15

Deborah Pearsall divides the South American Neolithic into three physiographic areas: low altitude, mid-altitude, and high altitude. Each region experienced distinct agricultural revolutions based on different plants. In the Andes, there was a shift from megafauna hunting to small game and the cultivation of root crops. Coastal Ecuador provides evidence of early domestication of squash and gourds more than 10,000 years ago, marked by distinguishable phytoliths. These distinct regional adaptations contributed to the diversity of agricultural practices in South America.

Amazonia, covering 40% of South America, was densely populated, with indigenous people cultivating over 135 crops, including manioc and pineapple. More than 10,000 years ago, people in Amazonia sculpted the land by creating "forest islands" or arable land. Over 4,700 artificial islands were identified in the Llanos de Moxos in Bolivia, showcasing an impressive example of intensive landscaping for increased agricultural productivity. The carbon dates of recovered phytoliths suggest early domestication of crops like manioc, squash, and maize.

Root crops played a crucial role in South American agriculture. The potato, especially adapted to high altitudes, became a significant contribution to the world's diet. Other root crops like oca, maca, ulluco, and arracacha were cultivated at various elevations, providing nutritious tubers. Quinoa, with seeds containing a superior mix of amino acids, surpassed maize in importance in some areas. The Inca culture heavily relied on root crops, making them a staple in the diet of high-altitude South America.