Andean Terrace Agriculture

Timeline

1. c. -1000–-500Central Peruvian highlands · PeruDuring the Chavín culture period, people began building simple terraces and drainage ditches on river-valley slopes, improving conditions for growing tuber crops such as potatoes and reducing erosion from heavy rains.
2. c. -500–-100Around Lake Titicaca · Bolivia-Peru borderCultural centers such as Tiwanaku developed stone-revetted terraces and lake-diversion irrigation systems, forming farmland terraces suitable for long-term cultivation and supporting the expansion of urban settlements.
3. c. -200–1Eastern Andean slopes and valleys · AndesMaize, potatoes, and quinoa were planted at different elevation tiers, with terraces and storage facilities working together to form a food production system adapted to vertical climate zones.