El poblado en altura de Topaín (segunda región, Chile): una residencia en la Tierra

Vila, Xurxo M. Ayán; Rodríguez, Sonia García

doi:10.3989/arq.arqt.2015.126

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 21 publications

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“…The archaeological sites of Topaín and Paniri are characterized by small ridgetop settlements adjacent to extensive irrigated agricultural fields (Ayán Vila & García Rodríguez, 2016; Urbina, 2010). Both are associated with Turi, a partially walled residential settlement or pukara adjacent to the Turi vega (irrigated pastureland and fields) that was occupied during the LIP and Inka period (Aldunate, 1993).…”

Section: Geomorphic Environmental and Cultural Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soils in ancient irrigated agricultural terraces in the Atacama Desert, Chile

et al. 2021

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The Atacama Desert is among the driest places on Earth, yet ancient agricultural systems are present in the region. Here, we present a study of terraced agricultural soils in the high‐altitude eastern margin of the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, mainly dating to the Late Intermediate Period (ca. 950–1400 AD) and Inka period (ca. 1400–1536 AD). Terraced fields were compartmentalized to distribute limited irrigation water originating mainly from springs. Natural soils used for agriculture are mostly Aridisols developed on Pleistocene alluvial fan terraces and hillslopes underlain by volcanic bedrock. One research objective is to evaluate long‐term soil change from agriculture. In this hyperarid climate, agriculture is only possible with irrigation, so natural soils on the same geomorphic surface adjacent to irrigated soils provide baseline data for assessing anthropogenic soil change. Data from soil profiles and surface transects indicate intentional soil change through terracing, removal of soil rock fragments, and probable fertilization. Agricultural soils have anthropogenic horizons ranging from 16 to 54 cm thick. Most agricultural soils have higher phosphorus levels, suggesting enrichment from fertilization. Changes in soil organic carbon and nitrogen are also evident. Unintentional anthropogenic soil change resulted from CaCO3 input through irrigation with calcareous spring water. Initial studies suggest that agriculture here was sustainable in the sense of conserving soils, and maintaining and possibly improving soil productivity over centuries.

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Section: Geomorphic Environmental and Cultural Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%