Corn and Culture in Central Andean Prehistory

Abstract

The prehistoric development and spread of domesticated maize varieties in the highlands of Peru, unlike the drier coastal deserts, is little known because ancient maize remains in this area survive mainly as fragments, kernels, and cob parts. An analysis of fragmented charred maize from prehistoric households (A.D.450 to 1500) in the Mantaro Valley reveals a developmental sequence of maize varieties for Highland Peru. The evidence indicates an adoption of large-kernelled maize varieties beginning in the Late Intermediate (A.D. 1000). This is centuries later than a similar change in maize, associated with the Wari expansion, that occurred in coastal areas, and indicates minimal Wari impact in the Mantaro Valley.

The Effect of the Inka State on Sausa Agricultural Production and Crop Consumption

“…The botanical evidence indicates a focus on the valley-floor agricultural lands where maize can grow. This is supported from a small valley-edge site (Pancan), which has a series of new varieties of maize that entered the record at this time Johannessen and Hastorf 1989).…”

Maize consumption in pre-Hispanic south-central Andes: chemical and microscopic evidence from organic residues in archaeological pottery from western Tinogasta (Catamarca, Argentina)

“…Maize (Zea mays) has been a staple food for American societies since pre-Hispanic times (Johannessen and Hastorf, 1994;Staller et al, 2006); its domestication originated in highland Mexico ca. 8700 cal.…”

Dietary Correlates to the Development of Nasca Social Complexity (A.D. 1–750)

“…Some modern evidence exists that specific types of maize are used exclusively for chicha production in Peru (Nicholson 1960); maize varieties shifted during the Nasca sequence (Grobman et al 1961:85), likely related to agricultural intensification and easier chicha production (e.g., Johanssen and Hastorf 1989:692). Similarly, maize varieties changed temporally in the Mantaro Valley in the Peruvian central highlands just prior to Inka influence and concomitant with greater social complexity in the region (Johanssen and Hastorf 1989). Perhaps elites in Nasca were able to control certain types of maize for ritual purposes.…”