Question

What crop did the Chavin plant that was able to grow in high altitudes

Answer 1

The Chavin planted maize, also known as corn, in high altitudes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The crop that the Chavin planted that was able to grow in high altitudes was maize, commonly known as corn.

The Andean region, where the Chavin culture developed, had a diverse ecological zone due to the rapid change in elevation of the Andes Mountains. Maize, along with other crops like hot peppers, potatoes, and coca, grew at different elevations in this region.

Maize was domesticated in Mesoamerica and reached the Andean region around 1600 BCE. While it was commonly used to make a fermented alcoholic drink and popcorn in the Andes, it did not become a staple part of the diet like in Mesoamerica.

Answer 2

The Chavin culture, which flourished in the Andes from 900 BCE to 200 BCE, primarily planted crops like maize, potatoes, and quinoa that were capable of growing in the high-altitude conditions of their region. They developed extensive irrigation systems in the Mosna Valley to support their agriculture.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Chavin culture, thriving from 900 BCE to 200 BCE in the high Andean region, relied on certain crops that could withstand the harsh conditions of high altitudes. The crops that the Chavin primarily planted included maize, potatoes, and quinoa. These staple crops were well-suited for the environment of the Andes Mountains due to their adaptability to the high elevation, which reached 3150 meters above sea level in the Mosna Valley where the Chavin developed their society.

Chavin farmers managed to cultivate these crops by creating extensive irrigation systems to manage the water supply, especially during the region's heavy rainy seasons. By leveraging the natural resources and adapting their agricultural practices, the Chavin were able to ensure a stable food supply in the challenging Andean highlands. Their ability to grow such crops paved the way for the cultural and architectural developments, such as their religious center at Chavín de Huántar, a significant site located more than ten thousand feet high in the Andes Mountains.