CROPS, CONSERVATION, AND COMMUNITY: A STUDY OF VEGETABLE STORAGE IN NORTHWEST ARGENTINA

Abstract

The emergence of agropastoral villages in northwestern Argentina valleys approximately 2500 years ago marked a significant transformation in the region's social and economic landscape. This Formative period, spanning 1500 years, witnessed the establishment, growth, and eventual abandonment of clustered households and village settlements across various micro-regions. This period was characterized by the development of Andean crop agriculture, llama herding, demographic expansion, and the transition to a more sedentary lifestyle. These changes brought forth new challenges, resources, and social dynamics. One notable aspect of this transformation was the increasing demand for storage of agricultural products, essential for consumption, processing, or future planting—a shift toward deferred return economies. While storage practices were not unknown among hunter-gatherer groups, the Formative period saw a heightened emphasis on anticipating future needs and seasons.

This research explores the evolving nature of storage practices during the Formative period in northwestern Argentina. It considers how the growth of deferred return economies reshaped the ways in which communities managed and stored their resources. By examining the archaeological evidence, this study sheds light on the strategies and techniques used to address the pressing need for long-term storage and management of goods.

This investigation is informed by a multidisciplinary approach, drawing insights from the works of researchers such as Olivera (2001), Bandy (2010), Bocquet-Appel (2008), Kuijt (2008), Howey, and Frederick (2016). It offers a comprehensive examination of storage practices and their societal implications during this critical period in the region's history.

The findings contribute to our understanding of how communities in northwestern Argentina adapted to the challenges posed by the shift from mobile lifestyles to settled agropastoralism. Additionally, they offer valuable insights into the diverse strategies employed by ancient societies to ensure the availability of essential resources during times of scarcity or need