Summary:
- This article discusses the discovery of an ancient Andean civilization that thrived in Peru around 1,000 years ago. Archaeologists found that the success of this kingdom was largely due to their innovative agricultural practices.
- The ancient Andeans developed a unique farming system called "raised fields" that allowed them to grow crops in the marshy wetlands of the Andes mountains. This system involved building raised platforms above the water, which provided better drainage and soil fertility for their crops.
- The raised field system enabled the Andean kingdom to produce a surplus of food, which they then used to support a larger population and develop a complex society with specialized workers, religious leaders, and a centralized government. This agricultural innovation was a key factor in the rise and prosperity of this ancient Andean civilization.