Mapping and Geospatial Analysis of Ancient Terrace Agricultural Systems in Lucanas Province, Peruvian Andes, Based on Satellite Imagery, High‐Resolution DSMs, and Field Surveys

Bibliographic Data

ID6425627
AuthorsC Mäder (0000-0001-9372-6721, ArchDepth Research Group, Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies University of Bonn Bonn Germany), Philipp Godde (Geoarchaeology and Quaternary Science, Institute of Geography and Geology University of Würzburg Würzburg Germany), Elena Hägele (Geoarchaeology and Quaternary Science, Institute of Geography and Geology University of Würzburg Würzburg Germany), Mike Lyons (0000-0001-8299-2127, Department of Ancient American Studies and Ethnology, Institute of Archaeology and Cultural Anthropology University of Bonn Bonn Germany), Ann‐kristin Weber (Geoarchaeology and Quaternary Science, Institute of Geography and Geology University of Würzburg Würzburg Germany), Rachel Odenthal (Department of Christian Archaeology and Byzantine Art History University of Marburg Marburg Germany), Paul Stryjski (Geoarchaeology and Quaternary Science, Institute of Geography and Geology University of Würzburg Würzburg Germany), Christoph Binder (0000-0002-0241-4077, Geoarchaeology and Quaternary Science, Institute of Geography and Geology University of Würzburg Würzburg Germany), Fernando Leceta (Historical Mapping Laboratory, Espacio Interdisciplinario Universidad de la República Uruguay Montevideo C.P Uruguay), Johny Isla (0000-0001-6164-8124, Nasca‐Palpa Management Plan, Peruvian Ministry of Culture Nasca Peru), Markus Reindel (0000-0003-1223-304X, Commission for Archaeology of Non‐European Cultures German Archaeological Institute Bonn Germany), Julia Meister (0000-0003-1385-4112, Geoarchaeology and Quaternary Science, Institute of Geography and Geology University of Würzburg Würzburg Germany)
Year2025
Volume40
Issue2
Publication date2025-02-28
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGeoarchaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0883-6353 • E-ISSN: 1520-6548
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/gea.70002
OpenAlexW4408384566
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited43

This paper presents a unique set of maps and geospatial data covering 16 ancient terrace agricultural systems in the upper part of the Río Grande de Nasca drainage. These systems are located on the western Andean flank (1200 and 3800 m asl), in the districts of Llauta, Laramate, and Ocaña in Lucanas province, Ayacucho region, southern Peru (14.5° S). Spanning various periods of the prehispanic era (1000 bce –1532 ce ), only limited sections of these terraces are still in use today. Our field methods include archaeological, geomorphological, and drone surveys. The terrace systems were mapped using (1) satellite imagery and (2) high‐resolution Digital Surface Models (DSMs) within a Geographic Information System (GIS). The geospatial analysis and mapping results encompass parameters such as elevation range, terrace area, number and condition of terrace walls, length and height of terrace walls, area of individual terraced fields, associated architecture (e.g., irrigation canals), slope, current vegetation and use, and chronology. By documenting the widespread distribution, extent, and diversity of agricultural terraces in the region, this data set is extremely valuable for understanding prehispanic human‐environment interactions and land use dynamics, as well as indigenous agricultural practices and resilience strategies in response to environmental and climate change

Archaeology · Cartography · Field (mathematics · Geography · Geospatial analysis · High resolution · Physical geography · Remote sensing · Satellite · Satellite imagery · Terrace (agriculture · Agriculture, Water, and Health · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Engineering · Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies · Geology

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