essay

Engineering aspects of Tiwanaku groundwater-controlled agriculture

tiwanaku and its hinterland : archaeology and paleoecology on an andean civilization • Washington, Dc • Published In 1996 • Pages: 153-167

By: Ortloff, Charles R..

Abstract
Ortloff discusses and analyzes the ground water control devices and strategies used by the people of Tiwanaku in raised field agriculture. Several mathematical and computer models are constructed to model the rise and fall of the water in Lake Titicaca and the surrounding near-shore environment; both with and without raised fields. Hydraulic analyses of the main canals in the Tiwanaku and Catari River Valleys are conducted. Ortloff concludes that the apparent overabundance of raised fields may be due to the fact that only a portion of the fields may have been suitable for agriculture at any one time as the lake level and ground water level rose and fell.
Subjects
Organization and analysis of results of research
Topography and geology
Tillage
Water supply
tradition
Tiahuanaco
HRAF PubDate
2003
Region
South America
Sub Region
Central Andes
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Archaeologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Sarah Berry ; 2002
Field Date
no date
Coverage Date
1600 BP-1000 BP (400 A.D.-1000 A.D.)
Coverage Place
southern Lake Titicaca basin; Bolivia
Notes
Charles R. Ortloff
For bibliographical references see document 8: Kolata
LCCN
95005837
LCSH
Indians of South America--Antiquities