A recent study reveals that the Casarabe culture in ancient Bolivia developed an advanced dual water management system allowing for year-round corn cultivation. Utilizing innovative drainage canals and ponds, they maintained their agricultural practices while preserving forest integrity. These findings, highlighted through lidar technology, provide new insights into pre-Columbian societies and emphasize the importance of recognizing Indigenous land management today.
A study reveals that ancient Amazonians of the Casarabe culture (500-1400 CE) in modern-day Bolivia developed a sophisticated dual water management system, consisting of drainage canals and artificial ponds, facilitating year-round corn cultivation. This innovative practice allowed them to manage flooding during the rainy season and irrigate their crops during dry seasons. Their settlements featured extensive earthworks, including mounds and interconnected roads that exemplified a form of urbanism known as low-density urbanism.
The research, led by Umberto Lombardo from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, uncovered these advanced practices using lidar technology, which penetrates forest canopies to reveal hidden structures. The findings provide new insights into the agricultural practices of ancient societies, specifically the Casarabe’s reliance on agroforestry rather than deforestation, maintaining the forest ecosystem while selectively managing useful species. This challenges previous assumptions regarding early farming techniques in South America.
Evidence collected, including phytolith and pollen analysis from ancient sites, confirmed maize as the primary crop cultivated by the Casarabe people. Their extensive earthen mounds ranged from 10 to 25 acres in size, showcasing their engineering capabilities over centuries. The combination of canals and ponds created a network that optimized the agricultural potential of the Llanos de Moxos region.
The study reflects the history of Indigenous populations affected by European diseases that led to significant losses, obscuring the existence of such complex societies pre-contact. Experts emphasize the importance of recognizing these civilizations’ intricate land management systems, which prioritized forest preservation instead of slash-and-burn agriculture. This ecological approach is echoed in present-day agricultural practices within the region.
The implications of this research extend to understanding contemporary Indigenous land rights, as it validates the sophisticated agricultural heritage of pre-Columbian societies. The study from Nature illustrates how these ancient land management strategies can inform sustainable practices amidst today’s climate challenges, advocating for the political sovereignty of Indigenous peoples who continue to engage in these territories.
The study highlights the advanced agricultural practices of the Casarabe culture, illustrating their sophisticated water management systems that supported year-round corn cultivation. Using cutting-edge lidar technology, researchers uncovered extensive infrastructures that illustrate a unique form of urbanism in the ancient Amazon. The findings challenge historical narratives around agricultural practices and support Indigenous claims to land management and environmental stewardship in the present day.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
