How did the Inccq adapt their environment to improve farming?
Options:
The inca cut strips of level land called Terrance’s into hillsides
The inca built artificial islands called chinampas to increase farmland
The Inca used dikes to capture rain water to irrigate crops
The Inca used aqueducts to carry fresh water into the city
The correct option is: The Inca used dikes to capture rainwater to irrigate crops.
The Inca civilization, including the Inca Empire, were known for their advanced agricultural techniques. One of the key ways they adapted their environment to improve farming was by constructing dikes. These dikes were built to capture rainwater and direct it towards their farmland. By doing so, they were able to efficiently irrigate their crops, ensuring a steady water supply even during dry seasons. This enabled them to grow a wide variety of crops and increase agricultural productivity.
The Inca adapted their environment to improve farming in several ways. One method they used was cutting strips of level land called terraces into hillsides. This allowed them to create flat areas for farming on steep slopes while preventing erosion.
Additionally, the Inca built artificial islands called chinampas, mainly used by the Aztecs, to increase farmland. These islands were created by piling up layers of mud and vegetation in shallow waters, providing fertile areas for crops to grow.
Another technique employed by the Inca was the use of dikes to capture rainwater and create irrigation systems for their crops. These dikes helped collect and control water flow, ensuring a consistent water supply for farming.
Lastly, the Inca implemented aqueducts to transport fresh water into their cities. These stone channels were used to bring water from distant sources, such as mountain streams, and deliver them to the city for drinking and irrigation purposes.
To determine how the Inca adapted their environment to improve farming, we can evaluate each option and see which one aligns with their practices.
1. The Inca cut strips of level land called terraces into hillsides:
Terracing is a method used by various ancient civilizations, including the Inca. It involves creating step-like platforms on hillsides. By constructing terraces, the Inca made use of the natural slope of the land, preventing erosion and allowing them to cultivate crops on the flat surfaces of the terraces.
2. The Inca built artificial islands called chinampas to increase farmland:
Chinampas were actually a farming technique used by the Aztec civilization, not the Inca. Chinampas were artificial islands created by piling up mud and vegetation in the shallow waters of lakes and marshes. While this method was utilized in Mesoamerica, the Inca did not have access to large bodies of water suitable for constructing chinampas.
3. The Inca used dikes to capture rainwater to irrigate crops:
The Inca, like many other ancient civilizations, implemented agricultural irrigation systems to ensure consistent water supply for their crops. Dikes were used to divert water from rivers and capture rainwater, which could then be efficiently distributed to fields for irrigation. This method helped the Inca make the most of their water resources for farming.
4. The Inca used aqueducts to carry fresh water into the city:
While aqueducts were indeed employed by the Inca civilization, their purpose primarily revolved around urban water management, supplying fresh water to cities and facilitating drainage systems. Aqueducts were not specifically designed for agricultural purposes, although they indirectly supported farming by ensuring a steady water supply for both cities and farmlands.
In summary, based on the given options, the Inca adapted their environment to improve farming by cutting strips of level land (terraces) into hillsides and using dikes to capture rainwater for irrigation.