Climate Impacts on Andean Culture
Archeological and paleolimnological records shows that the collapse of Tiwanaku civilization and the emergence of agriculture coincided with climate change. Irrigation agriculture was developed to sustain the dense population and the collapse of Tiwanaku civilization marked the cultural changes which became suitable for the harsh environment (Binford et al., 1997).
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The increased moisture near Lake Titicaca in 1500 BC raising the lake level by 20M coincided with initiation of irrigation. However, during 1100 A.D. the moisture levels reduced thus decreasing the lake level 12-17 m and this coincided with the collapse of the Tiwanaku civilization. During the drier condition the water dependent cultivation could not support the dense population (Binford et al., 1997).
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The area lies in the intermontane altiplano between the altitudes of 3800 m and 4200 m. The area is perennially marshy and covered by abandoned Tiwanaku period raised fields which are approximately 190 km2 (Binford et al., 1997).
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The Chirapa culture were the earliest agricultural communities in the area between 1500 and 200 B.C and practiced dryland farming. The emergence of Tiwanaku marked the beginning of wetland cultivation of raised-fields. This coincided with high ice accumulation at Quelccaya (Binford et al., 1997).
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The climate changes in Bolivia and the Peru altiplano resulted in the changes in the availability of water thus the elevation of the lake consequently, affecting the local human activities. The wetter climate led to widespread cultivation through raised lands which increased food production because it reduced the impacts of frost and reduced salinization. Consequently, this resulted in high population growth beginning 600 AD. However, the increased aridity led to decline in agricultural production, abandonment of raised-field, dispersal of the population and thus the collapse of the Tiwanaku culture. The Tiwanaku people may have stopped the raised field cultivation and abandoned the urban centers and dispersed. The cultures of human beings have an adaptation to climate changes, however to certain limits (Binford et al., 1997).
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Binford, M. W., Kolata, A. L, Brener, M., Janusek, J. W., Seddon, M.T., Abbott, M. and
Curtis, J.H. (1997). Climate Variation and the Rise and Fall of an Andean
Civilization. Quaternary Research. 47, 2, 235-248
