A team of archaeologists from the University of São Paulo (Brazil) has uncovered new evidence of a pre-colonial garden city in Bolivia, where ancient Amazonian people once lived. They primarily engaged in growing corn and raising Muscovy ducks.
The new research sheds light on the lives of indigenous peoples in the Amazon basin prior to the colonial invasion by Europeans.
During the study, scientists analyzed the remains of humans and animals found in Bolivia. They discovered that the local population began practicing agriculture and animal husbandry even before European colonization of the region.
What Did the Researchers Find?
Previous studies hinted that crops such as cassava, squash, sweet potatoes, yams, and especially corn were significant in many parts of the Amazon basin long before the Spanish colonization.
Researchers had previously suggested that the Amazon River basin, initially thought to be unsuitable for food production, eventually became home to large human communities that transformed into garden cities, where various crops were cultivated and livestock raised. However, direct evidence linking people, animals, and agricultural practices in this area had yet to be found.
Now, archaeologists have focused their attention on regions of the Bolivian Amazon inhabited by the Casarabe people, particularly in the Llanos de Mojos region, known for its monumental mounds. The team analyzed the bones of 86 humans and 68 animals (mammals, reptiles, birds, and fish), dating from 700 to 1400 CE.
The scientists found that corn was a common component of these people’s diet, with peak consumption likely occurring between 700 and 800 CE. Further analysis revealed that Muscovy ducks also consumed corn during that time, as reported by the Independent.
Ultimately, the researchers concluded that intentional feeding of these birds in the region occurred as early as 800 CE, and by 1100 CE, ducks were already being kept domestically.
The team also documented a steady decline in the role of corn as a staple food crop after 800 CE. This may indicate that the Casarabe people sought to diversify their agriculture or aimed to expand trade with other groups.
“Our data provide insights into human interaction with Amazonian ecosystems, including direct evidence of human management of animals in the pre-colonial period, further enriching our understanding of human history,” the researchers wrote in their report.
The findings of the study were published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour.