Final answer:
The Nazca civilization, located in the arid southern coast of Peru, developed irrigation systems to channel water from the Andes to sustain their agriculture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The civilization that lived in the desert and built a system of canals to channel water from the Andes Mountains into their fields was the Nazca civilization. The Nazca inhabited the arid coast of southern Peru and developed advanced irrigation techniques to sustain their agriculture in a harsh environment.
They lived in small villages and maintained a significant ceremonial site known as Cahuachi. Their sophisticated use of water management allowed for agriculture to flourish even in the challenging conditions of the Peruvian desert plateau.