From Foraging to Farming in the Andes

Of all human histories of the Andes, the initial peopling of the continent and the beginnings of indigenous civilization and food production have proven to be some of the more difficult to master. For most Andean scholars, pre-Hispanic civilization is seen to begin with monumental architecture, public works of art – among other spectacular achievements–at large, permanent settlements such as Chavin de Huantar in the highlands and Caral on the coast of Peru before 3,000 years ago.