Andean Terrace Agriculture

Timeline

1. -1000–1100Northern and central Peruvian coast and highlands · PeruCivilizations such as the Moche and Tiwanaku built stone terraces and irrigation systems on slopes, developing waru waru raised fields and terrace rotation, laying the technical foundation for later Inca agriculture.
2. 1438–1490Cusco and the Sacred Valley · PeruPachacuti initiated large-scale imperial organization of terrace construction, forming continuous stone terraces in the Sacred Valley, Colca Canyon, and elsewhere, accompanied by irrigation canals, storage, and relay stations.
3. 1491–1500Core valleys of the Inca Empire · Andes MountainsUnder Huayna Capac's rule, terrace agriculture supported the empire's millions of people, with potatoes, maize, and quinoa planted in tiers between 2,000 and 4,000 meters elevation, and terrace microclimates maximizing crop diversity.
4. 1532Machu Picchu and Moray · PeruColonial rule changed crop structures and land systems, and many terraces were abandoned; remains such as Machu Picchu and the circular terraces of Moray became World Heritage sites, and some terraces remain traditional farming grounds for Andean communities today.