Ancient Amazonian Society Innovates Year-Round Corn Cultivation Techniques

Archaeological findings from the Bolivian Amazon indicate that the ancient Casarabe culture implemented a dual water management system that allowed for year-round corn cultivation. This sustainable practice involved managing useful tree species while preserving the forest and constructing a network of drainage canals and ponds. Lidar technology has helped unveil these sophisticated urban landscapes that reveal an advanced agrarian society, significantly impacting our understanding of pre-Columbian land use in the region.

Recent research has uncovered a remarkable year-round corn-growing system developed by the ancient Casarabe culture in the Bolivian Amazon between 500 and 1400 CE. This society engineered a dual water management system comprising drainage canals and artificial ponds, allowing for continuous corn cultivation even amidst seasonal flooding. Their integration of sophisticated agroforestry practices aimed not at deforestation but at selective tree management exemplifies their sustainable approach to agriculture rather than traditional slash-and-burn methods.

The Casarabe people constructed extensive infrastructure, including earthen mounds, roads, and canals, showcasing a form of low-density urbanism. This intricate network was largely concealed under forest cover until revealed by advanced lidar technology, which illuminated the scale of their settlements and agricultural systems. Researchers utilized both lidar mapping and microscopic analysis of plant remains to validate the prevalence of corn cultivation in their diet, confirming the absence of alternative crops.

Umberto Lombardo, who led the study, highlighted the impressive scale of monumental mounds built by the Casarabe, some as large as 20 football fields and standing up to 20 meters high. These structures illustrate the complexity of their society, which formerly eluded documentation due to the significant decline of Indigenous populations following European contact and related diseases. According to Alder Keleman Saxena, this population loss has severely distorted historical understanding of Amazonian societies.

Moreover, the research indicates a shift in perception regarding pre-Columbian land use, suggesting that many Indigenous people, such as the Casarabe, engaged in agroforestry rather than deforestation. Soil samples showed no signs of charcoal or fire, supporting claims against slash-and-burn practices. This preservation strategy likely ensured access to essential forest resources, enhancing their ecological stability and agricultural output.

The findings emphasize the existence of complex, densely populated urban areas supported by advanced agricultural techniques. These insights may not only illuminate past Indigenous practices but also provide valuable lessons for contemporary sustainable living amid climate challenges. As Keleman Saxena noted, exploring these historical practices offers insights into the resilience of Indigenous communities and the ongoing significance of their land rights today.

The study reveals that the Casarabe culture developed sophisticated agricultural techniques in the Amazon, employing a dual water management system that facilitated year-round corn production. Their approach to land use involved selective tree management rather than deforestation, presenting a sustainable alternative to slash-and-burn farming. The research underscores the complexity and resilience of Indigenous societies in the Amazon, shedding light on their historical significance and contemporary relevance regarding land rights.

Original Source: news.mongabay.com