Rocks in the Landscape: Managing the Inka Agricultural Cycle

Abstract

In this paper an extensive structured system of carved stones in Peru's Chicha valley is presented in its local setting, analysed within its agricultural and social context and compared with similar landscape features elsewhere. In any agricultural society, the timing of planting, irrigation and harvesting events is crucial to maintaining crop yields. To a state system where the administration is dependent on non-written systems of record-keeping, highly visible landscape markers would be essential in defining labour allocations and designating the appropriate allotment of irrigation water. This paper presents evidence that boundaries for water distribution and for management of the irrigation cycles during the Late Horizon period of Peruvian prehistory (c AD 1438–1534) were clearly set out and marked in a manner that enabled state administrators to manage the agricultural round. Though clearly the use ofquipu-based recording systems should not be underestimated in this context, timing of the agricultural cycle on a local level could not solely be dependent on central directives from Cusco: local cakndrical tools were necessary to ensure successful agricultural seasons.