Final answer:
In the Americas, domesticated animals included llamas, guanacos, alpacas, and guinea pigs, while key crops were potatoes, quinoa, and the Mesoamerican triad of corn, beans, and squash. The introduction of European animals and the Indigenous 'Three Sisters' method of cultivation enhanced agricultural productivity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Domestication in the Americas
The process of domestication of plants and animals in the Americas was a significant development, primarily in regions such as South America and Mesoamerica. In South America, animals like llamas, guanacos, and alpacas were domesticated for meat and wool. The guinea pig was also domesticated for food. Key crops included the potato, which may have been domesticated between 8000 and 6000 BCE, and quinoa, initially used as animal feed around 5000 BCE but later consumed by humans.
In Mesoamerica, the Mesoamerican triad, consisting of corn, beans, and squash, became the cornerstone of agriculture. Corn, in particular, was domesticated from teosinte between 5000 and 3000 BCE and played a crucial role in the rise of large populations. Mesoamerican peoples also domesticated plants such as hot peppers, tomatoes, cocoa, and tobacco.
The arrival of Europeans brought new domesticated animals such as horses, cows, goats, sheep, pigs, and chickens to the Americas, which transformed the life of Indigenous communities. Conversely, the Americas contributed to the global domestication narrative with crops like corn, potatoes, and cassava.
The combination of domesticated crops and the introduction of new methods, like the cultivation of the 'Three Sisters', led to sustained high yields and a balanced diet for Indigenous populations.