Prehistoric Flood Management on the Peruvian Coast: Reinterpreting the “Sunken Fields” of Chilca
- 20 January 1982
- journal article
- Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) in American Antiquity
- Vol. 47 (1), 144-154
- https://doi.org/10.2307/280060
Abstract
Prehistoric agricultural landforms at Chilca, Peru have been traditionally identified as sunken fields, excavated basins designed to provide planting surfaces close to the natural water table. Analysis of the morphology, physical context, and recent use of the features indicates that this view is incorrect, and that the bulk of the features are flood control embankments. Parallels with similar systems elsewhere in the Americas are described, and the implications for reconstructing prehistoric agricultural processes are explored.Keywords
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