Ancient Amazon Farming System Shows Sustainable Agriculture from 1500 Years Ago
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📰 The quick summary: Ancient Amazonians developed an innovative dual water management system that enabled year-round corn cultivation in Bolivia between 500-1400 CE, demonstrating sophisticated agricultural engineering that supported large populations sustainably.
📈 One key stat: The average monumental mound built by this civilization covered an area of 10-15 hectares and reached heights up to 20 meters, showcasing their impressive engineering capabilities.
💬 One key quote: “With lidar, you see everything super clearly, all the canals. You just remove the forest. It’s magic,” explains researcher Umberto Lombardo.
1️⃣ The big picture: Researchers have discovered that Indigenous people in the Bolivian Amazon created an advanced farming system 600-1,500 years ago that enabled year-round corn cultivation. The Casarabe culture built an impressive network of drainage canals and artificial ponds between 500-1400 CE that worked harmoniously with the Amazon Basin’s natural seasonal changes. This sophisticated system included drainage canals to manage flood waters in the rainy season and artificial ponds for irrigation during dry periods. The findings challenge previous understanding of early South American farming capabilities and reveal how these societies supported large populations through innovative agricultural practices.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: These discoveries demonstrate that humans can create sustainable agricultural systems that work in harmony with natural ecosystems rather than against them. The Casarabe people’s methods prove it’s possible to support large populations while preserving forests and biodiversity. Their sophisticated engineering solutions offer valuable insights for modern sustainable agriculture and water management. The findings also provide important validation for contemporary Indigenous peoples’ knowledge and their continued role in land stewardship.
3️⃣ What’s next: Scientists continue to use advanced technologies like lidar to uncover more evidence of ancient Amazonian civilizations. Research teams aim to better understand how these agricultural systems functioned and what lessons they hold for modern sustainable farming. The findings can help inform current approaches to climate-resilient agriculture and water management in similar environments.
Read the full story here: Mongabay – Study unearths sophisticated year-round corn-growing system in ancient Bolivian Amazon
