article

The agricultural foundations of the Tiwanaku state: a view from the heartland

American Antiquity51 • Published In 1986 • Pages: 748-762

By: Kolata, Alan L..

Abstract
Kolata discusses '…the nature, role and significance of intensive agriculture in the ancient state of Tiwanaku,…' (page748). Some of the results of the regional survey are presented. Kolata found extensive tracts of raised agricultural fields; a network of causeways; large mounds; agricultural terraces along the northern border of the Pampa Koani; and an artificial canal that crosses the Pampa Koani. Some of the results of excavations on the platform mounds, habitation mounds and fields are presented. One of the more interesting finds was that habitation mounds and raised fields sometimes merged and this provided a way to date the raised fields. 'For the first time we have unequivocal evidence that a large rural …artificial agricultural landscape was directly associated with the city of Tiwanaku.' (page 760).
Subjects
Identification
Tillage
Land use
Religious and educational structures
tradition
Tiahuanaco
HRAF PubDate
2003
Region
South America
Sub Region
Central Andes
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Archaeologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Sarah Berry ; 2002
Field Date
1979-1982
Coverage Date
1900 BP-1000 BP (100 A.D.-1000 A.D.)
Coverage Place
southern Lake Titicaca basin; Bolivia and Peru
Notes
Alan L. Kolata
Includes bibliographical references (p. 761-762)
LCCN
46036122
LCSH
Indians of South America--Antiquities