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The Inca Empire

The Inca Empire covered a large area of land encompassing what is now known as South America. Most of the empire lived high up in the Andes Mountains, the longest mountain range in the world. With an average height of over 13,000 feet (4,000 meters), the Andes presented a challenging climate and terrain to the Inca people.

The Inca people, like all civilizations, found ways to adapt to their environment. To combat the rocky and rigid geography, the people developed a system of farming known as terrace farming. First created by the Inca people, terrace farming is a type of farming that uses "steps" built into the side of a mountain or hillside. It was on these steps that the people planted a variety of crops.

Even though growing crops was very difficult, the Inca were still mostly vegetarian. They ate small rodents, such as guinea pigs, when available. Keeping large animals was often seen as a chore. Large animals required large amounts of grassy vegetation, which most Inca did not have access to in the Andes. This is not to say they did not have any large animals; the Inca relied on llamas for transportation and clothing and as one of their few sources of meat.

Due to the extreme cold temperatures of being at a high altitude, the Inca people had to be selective with what they could grow. The main staple of the Inca diet was root vegetables, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, beets, and carrots. However, they also ate other foods such as quinoa, beans, avocados, and tomatoes.

The main reason for potatoes and other root vegetables playing a large part in the Inca diet was because they can withstand low temperatures. Considering the challenging climate, the Inca needed the guarantee that their crops could survive the freezing temperatures and high altitude that came with being in the Andes.

Is this myth or fact? If so, what proof do you have to verify your decision?

"The Inca climate was well-suited to root vegetables, which explains why potatoes, beans, and squash were staple crops."

Answer :

The claim that "The Inca climate was well-suited to root vegetables, which explains why potatoes, beans, and squash were staple crops" is mostly fact.

The Incas lived predominantly in the high altitudes of the Andes Mountains, where the climate is characterized by cold temperatures, harsh winds, and limited arable land. These conditions made agriculture challenging, but the Inca adapted ingeniously.

  1. Root Vegetables: The Andes' cold climate was indeed more favorable for growing root vegetables like potatoes and other tubers. Potatoes, in particular, thrive in the cooler temperatures experienced in these high-altitude regions. They can be grown relatively quickly and are capable of withstanding frost to some extent, which is crucial when situated over 13,000 feet above sea level. Besides potatoes, other root vegetables such as sweet potatoes and squash were also commonly grown.

  2. Terrace Farming: To maximize agricultural potential, the Inca developed terrace farming. This method involved creating flat, stepped plots on the slopes of the mountains. Terrace farming not only increased arable land but also helped manage water runoff and erosion. This innovation allowed for the cultivation of a variety of crops, despite the difficult terrain.

  3. Diet: While the staple crops like potatoes and squash were suited to the Inca climate, beans, notably different from tubers, were also a crucial part of their diet. Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which is beneficial for crop rotation, providing improved soil fertility.

In summary, the climate of the Andes favored the growth of specific root vegetables, making them a staple in the Incan diet, alongside essential adaptive practices such as terrace farming. This combination enabled the Inca to flourish despite the environmental challenges.

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Rewritten by : Barada