Ecological Adaptations and New Forms of Pastoralism? New Insights into Herding Practices in the Andes during the Prehispanic Times

The Andean pastoralism and the establishment of trades between different ecological levels (concept of Andean verticality) are the basis for the emergence of complex societies in the Central Andes. Llamas and alpacas are the only large domestic mammals in the Americas. With the intensification of their breeding, camelids occupied a fundamental economic, social and religious role in Andean life. Today, camelid livestock are confined above 3,500 masl to the ecozone of the puna or altiplano, while their presence during pre-Hispanic times in other area (as the Pacific coast for example) is attested by archaeological skeletal remains, textiles and iconographic representation. However, modalities subtending the camelids adaptation to these different environment, as well as herd and territory management remain unknown. The objective of this symposium is to document these modalities and the different herding practices by gaining new insights into diet, mobility, location of breeding, and health status of archaeological camelids. These data will allow us to understand how pre-Hispanic societies adapted their practices to the difficult of the environment, and show that herding practices were varied and not restricted to breeding at higher altitudes.