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Paleoethnobotanical evidence points to agricultural mutualism among early camelid pastoralists of the Andean central Altiplano

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Abstract

Through paleoethnobotanical analysis, we illustrate mutualism between herding and cultivating crops among early Andean mobile pastoralists who lived in the Iroco region of the Central Altiplano of Bolivia during the Formative period (1500 BCE - 500 CE). These pastoralists, known as the Wankarani culture, cultivated quinoa, kañawa, and tubers even though they were mobile pastoralists. Cultivating these crops improved food security for the Wankarani and enhanced the landscape for pastoral production. In turn, a pastoral lifestyle enhanced agricultural productivity. Based on the absence of non-local plant remains, such as maize, or other exotic materials, there is no evidence that the Wankarani were involved in the early interregional llama caravan trade networks that underpinned the development of cities and states in the region. These findings demonstrate that herding and crop cultivation interact in unique ways that lead to farming strategies, crop varieties, and opportunities that would not otherwise exist. Above all, this article brings attention to the role of Andean pastoralists in the development of early agricultural programs.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Maria Bruno who helped to coordinate the flotation of the samples as well as analysis of two of those included in this study. We also thank Sergio Calla Maldonado, Alejandro Barrientos Salinas, Juan Carlos Segurola, Javier Aguilar, Edwin Choque, Alex Flores, Israel Quispe, Vidal Colque, Mauricio Rocha, Jorge Ustarez, and Armando Vargas for their participation during fieldwork. Fieldwork and analysis in Bolivia were facilitated by the communities of Cochiraya, Iroco, and Chuzekery, Inti Raymi Mining Company, Universidad Técnica de Oruro, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, and the Unidad Nacional de Arqueología of Bolivia of the Bolivian Ministerio de Culturas y Turismo. We would also like to thank Dave Browman and Gayle Fritz for the inspiration and feedback on this work. 

Funding

Research in Bolivia was supported by the National Science Foundation DDRIG BCS# 0737793, the Lambda Alpha Graduate Overseas Research Charles R. Jenkins Award, and the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis.

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  1. Department of Anthropology, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13850, USA

    BrieAnna S. Langlie

  2. Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    José M. Capriles

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Correspondence to BrieAnna S. Langlie.

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Langlie, B.S., Capriles, J.M. Paleoethnobotanical evidence points to agricultural mutualism among early camelid pastoralists of the Andean central Altiplano. Archaeol Anthropol Sci 13, 107 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-021-01343-y

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