Pastoralisms of the Andes: a southern and central Andean perspective

Summary

In this paper we contrast and compare the development of pastoralism at two opposite yet complimentary geographical locations with a focus on pastoralist impact on the environment. In Argentina we present the evolution and development of pastoralism [c. 3,300-400BP] in the arid highlands of Antofagasta de la Sierra, as societies negotiated the shift from hunter-gathering to a more mixed, but increasingly, pastoralist economy culminating in late complex agro-pastoralist adaptations. Similarly in the central Andes, we consider the enduring landscape modifications and transhumance patterns of complex agro-pastoralists located in Ica highlands [2100-400BP] and their relationship with agricultural communities. In so doing, this presentation argues for the concept of the many, different and varied types of pastoralism present in the Andes; ranging from an early transhumant hunter-gatherer-horticultural pastoralism to a tethered, fully integrated agro-pastoralist model for the latter period. Adopting a political ecology approach we consider how human agency and an expanding pastoralist frontier have impacted on and developed landscapes. We thus consider changes and shifts in the landscape of resource areas, settlement location and concomitant herding patterns as well as human-induced alterations in pasturage. Finally we focus on the wider implications of pastoralism in the development of Andean society.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)   •
• Ecological Adaptations and New Forms of Pastoralism? New Insights into Herding Practices in the Andes during the Prehispanic Times

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 16164