Pre-hispanic agricultural dynamics in the Quebrada of Morohuasi (Salta, Argentina)

Abstract

The Quebrada de Morohuasi (Salta, Argentina), located in a semi-arid high-altitude environment, is known to host vast pre-Hispanic cultivation areas. Recent archaeological studies carried out in the agricultural area of Morohuasi allow for a better definition and understanding of the social and productive dynamics that took place there. Field records and AMS dating indicate two main productive phases that were discontinuous in time. These show an initial phase during the Formative Period, between the first and fourth centuries CE, during which the agricultural substratum was formed, and a final phase during the first decades of the fifteenth century CE that was related to the establishment of an agricultural colony under the control of the Inkas. Although the same cultivation plots were utilized during both phases, the mode and relations of production were substantially different, particularly in the second phase with the participation of contingents of mitmaqkunas brought from other regions.

Ubicada en un ambiente semiárido de altura, la Quebrada de Morohuasi (Salta, Argentina) es conocida por albergar vastas áreas de cultivo prehispánicas. Los recientes estudios arqueológicos realizados en el área agrícola de Morohuasi permiten una mejor definición y comprensión de las dinámicas sociales y productivas que allí se dieron. Los registros de campo y las dataciones AMS realizadas indican dos fases productivas principales discontinuas en el tiempo. Una fase inicial durante el Período Formativo, entre los siglos I y IV CE, en la cual se conforma el sustrato agrícola, y una fase final durante las primeras décadas del siglo XV CE, relacionada con el establecimiento de una colonia agrícola bajo control de los inkas. Si durante ambas fases se cultivaron las mismas parcelas, el modo y las relaciones de producción fueron sustancialmente distintas, destacándose particularmente en la segunda la participación de contingentes de mitmaqkunas llevados desde otras regiones.

Keywords:

• Prehispanic agriculture
• southern Andes
• Formative Period
• Inka
• mitmaqkuna

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by MSH-SUD (Maison des Sciences de l’Homme SUD, France: Project PANARCHI 2017–2018, IRD/CNRS/UCM/UNJU), and ECOS-SUD (Scientific Cooperation Program Argentina/France: Project ARCHIPA 2020–2022). We thank the Museum of Anthropology of Salta for the research permits in the Quebrada de Morohuasi and the Qhapaq Ñan Program, Heritage Department of the Province of Salta, for their collaboration.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Pablo Cruz

Pablo Cruz, Archaeologist and andean anthropologist, UE-CISOR National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) - Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, San Martín N°1028, San Salvador de Jujuy (4600), Jujuy, Argentina ([email protected]).

Richard Joffre

Richard Joffre, Agroecologist, French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) CEFE, CNRS -Université de Montpellier, EPHE, IRD Q3. 1919, route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier 5, France ([email protected]).

Thierry Winkel

Thierry Winkel, Agroecologist, Institute of Research for Development (IRD) CEFE, CNRS -Université de Montpellier, EPHE, IRD Q3. 1919, route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier 5, France ([email protected]).

Bruno Roux

Bruno Roux, Aerial photography specialist, L'Avion Jaune, 525 Avenue Saint Sauveur 34980 Saint-Clément-de-Rivière, France ([email protected]).

Christian Vitry

Christian Vitry, Archaeologist, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Programa Qhapaq Ñan, Subsecretaría de Patrimonio de la Provincia de Salta, Caseros 962, Salta (4400), Argentina ([email protected]).