Final answer:
The llama was the only domesticated beast of burden in the Andes, vital for transport and producing resources like meat and fuel from dung. The alpaca also contributed significantly to Andean society through its fleece, used in the deeply cultural practice of textile weaving.
Step-by-step explanation:
The only domesticated beast of burden in the Andes region was the llama. Llamas were indispensable to the Andean peoples as they provided a means of transporting goods across the difficult terrain of the mountains. Being domesticated relatives of the wild vicuña and guanaco, llamas could carry up to 100 pounds but were not suitable for carrying adult humans. They were also valued for their meat, and their manure was used as fuel in the high altitudes where wood was scarce. Moreover, the wheel was known but not employed for transport, as the mountainous terrain rendered it impractical.
Notably, textile arts were highly developed in the Andes thanks to the alpaca, another domesticated camelid. The alpaca's fleece provided materials for weaving ponchos, hats, and blankets. This craft was deeply ingrained in Andean culture, with the use of bright, bold colors being characteristic of Andean textiles. These textiles played a role both in everyday life and in integrating the Andean communities into broader trade networks.