A study reveals that the ancient Casarabe culture in the Bolivian Amazon developed a complex dual water management system, allowing for year-round corn cultivation. Spanning from 500 to 1400 CE, this society showcases advanced agricultural techniques and urban planning previously unknown. By utilizing lidar technology, researchers uncovered monumental earthworks and a network of canals and ponds that emphasized their sophisticated approach to land management and preservation of forests.
Recent research has uncovered a sophisticated agricultural system utilized by the ancient Casarabe culture in the Bolivian Amazon, flourishing between 500 and 1400 CE. This society developed an advanced dual water management system that included drainage canals and artificial ponds, facilitating year-round corn cultivation in the Llanos de Moxos region. The findings, published in the journal Nature, challenge preconceived notions about early South American farming practices.
A research team from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, led by Umberto Lombardo, discovered that the Casarabe culture engineered a network of canals and ponds that adapted to seasonal flooding. During heavy rains, the canals managed excess water while the ponds provided irrigation during the dry season, enabling continuous corn cultivation. Lombardo noted, “The pond itself is cultivated.”
The study posits that the Casarabe culture epitomizes a “Neolithic Revolution” within the Amazon, with their grain-based economy supporting complex social structures. By leveraging advanced mapping technologies and microscopic analysis of plant remains, the researchers identified corn as the primary crop sustaining this pre-Columbian society, as corroborated by their examination of phytoliths and pollen samples.
In addition to their agricultural innovations, the Casarabe constructed monumental earthen mounds, some spanning up to 25 acres and reaching heights of 65 feet. These impressive structures, long concealed beneath forest growth, were revealed using state-of-the-art lidar technology. Lombardo described the clarity lidar provides: “With lidar, you see everything super clearly, all the canals.”
The settlements were interconnected by a series of roads and canals, illustrating a form of urbanism marked by low population density spread across vast areas. Lombardo remarked upon the complexity of these societies, which resembled expansive cities, albeit with a scattered population. Evidence suggests that much of the contemporary landscape in the region fails to reflect its advanced historical urbanization.
Alder Keleman Saxena, an expert in the field, emphasized the impact of European diseases on Indigenous populations, which resulted in the decimation of about 90% of the native populace before comprehensive documentation could be established. Consequently, many historical records pertaining to Amazonian societies remain limited, particularly in hard-to-reach areas like the Bolivian lowlands.
The research underscores that the Casarabe culture engaged in agroforestry rather than slash-and-burn practices. By carefully managing tree populations and preserving the forest, they effectively utilized the landscape while maintaining its ecological integrity. Lombardo stated that they helped cultivate beneficial trees without clearing the forest, contributing to its preservation.
The study reveals no evidence of charcoal or fire in soil samples, indicating a lack of slash-and-burn agriculture among the Casarabe. Lombardo confirmed that pre-Columbian land use in the Amazon predominantly involved agroforestry techniques, which may have valuable implications for sustainable living in the context of today’s climate challenges. Saxena noted that these findings could also affirm the rights and practices of contemporary Indigenous peoples within these territories.
In conclusion, the research highlights the advanced agricultural practices of the Casarabe culture in the Bolivian Amazon, demonstrating their innovative water management strategies that enabled year-round corn cultivation. It emphasizes the societal complexities that existed long before European colonization and illustrates the intentional preservation of forests through agroforestry. This study not only reshapes our understanding of Amazonian history but also underscores the importance of valuing Indigenous knowledge and sustainable practices in modern contexts.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
