Revelation of Ancient Corn-Growing System in the Bolivian Amazon
The Casarabe culture in the Bolivian Amazon developed an advanced year-round corn farming system using drainage canals and ponds between 500 and 1400 CE. This finding reshapes existing knowledge on early South American agriculture, highlighting sophisticated environmental management and urban planning. Modern technology, including lidar, has revealed their extensive earthworks that remained hidden under forest cover, while the impacts of European diseases on Indigenous populations obscure historical records of such societies.
A recent study reveals that the ancient Casarabe culture, which thrived in the Bolivian Amazon from 500 to 1400 CE, developed a sophisticated year-round corn farming system. This system relied on an innovative dual water management approach, utilizing drainage canals and artificial ponds to cultivate maize effectively. The findings challenge previous understandings of early agricultural practices in South America and underscore the ecological strategies adopted by these ancient societies.
Researchers from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, led by Umberto Lombardo, uncovered evidence of extensive drainage canals and ponds established by the Casarabe in the Llanos de Moxos region. By synchronizing with seasonal flooding, the canals removed excess water during the rainy season, while ponds provided irrigation during dry spells, allowing for continuous corn production throughout the year.
The Casarabe’s agricultural strategies reflect a Neolithic Revolution within the Amazon, characterized by grain-based economies that supported complex social hierarchies. Through advanced mapping technologies and detailed analysis of microfossils, researchers confirmed maize as the predominant crop that sustained this pre-Columbian society.
In addition to innovative farming techniques, the Casarabe constructed monumental earth mounds, which could span areas equivalent to 20 football fields and reach heights of 20 meters. These extensive infrastructures remained largely undetected until modern lidar technology enabled researchers to peer through the forest canopy and reveal their complex landscapes of canals and roads.
The settlements were organized around low-density urbanism, resulting in cities spread across vast regions rather than concentrated hubs. As Lombardo indicated, the spatial organization resembles a sprawling city of tens of square kilometers, with unique characteristics that differentiate it from European urban models.
Today, little remains visible of this formerly engineered landscape, which now features stripes of forest along ancient river channels. The dramatic population decline caused by European diseases significantly impacted the historical documentation of these societies, making their accomplishments underappreciated and often unknown until recent scholarship brought new insights to light.
The study highlights the Casarabe people’s adaptive use of agroforestry, which focused on preserving forest structures rather than exploiting them through slash-and-burn agriculture. Evidence from soil samples indicated the absence of fire and charcoal, supporting a narrative of intentional forest management that emphasized sustainability and resource conservation.
The findings significantly impact the understanding of pre-Columbian land use in the Amazon, suggesting that agroforestry was prevalent and effective. Lombardo’s commentary emphasizes the importance of these revelations in contextualizing modern ecological practices and recognizing the enduring significance of Indigenous communities in America.
In conclusion, this research reveals the advanced agricultural and urban practices of the Casarabe people while illuminating the environmental stewardship that characterized their civilization. Their legacy offers valuable lessons for contemporary sustainable living and highlights the need to acknowledge Indigenous livelihoods and cultural histories.
The study enhances our understanding of the Casarabe culture’s sophisticated agricultural practices in the Amazon, emphasizing their innovative water management systems for year-round corn cultivation. It contributes to a larger narrative of Indigenous land use that challenges conventional agricultural paradigms. This research not only enriches historical comprehension but also provides insights into sustainable practices relevant in today’s climate crisis, reinforcing the significance of preserving Indigenous knowledge and rights.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
