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Andean Terrace Agriculture

Type Object Region South America Time c. 500–700

Andean terrace agriculture is an agricultural system of terraces with irrigation and soil improvement built on steep South American highlands, maturi…

Timeline

  1. c. 500–600Cusco Valley · Cusco RegionPeople built stone terraces on slopes, combining channel-diverted water and drainage systems to expand arable area, reduce soil erosion, and adapt to high-altitude temperature swings.
  2. c. 600–700Central-southern Peruvian Andes · Andes MountainsTerrace scale expanded within the control areas of the Wari Empire and Tiwanaku culture, with food surpluses supporting urban artisans, priestly classes, and long-distance trade networks.

Sources