What are two environmental obstacles that the Chavin had to overcome?
Two environmental obstacles that the Chavin had to overcome were the extreme altitude of their location and the rugged terrain of the Andes Mountains.
1. Extreme altitude: The Chavin civilization was located in the highlands of the Andes Mountains in present-day Peru, at an altitude of around 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) above sea level. This high altitude posed challenges for their agriculture and human health. The lower oxygen levels made it difficult to grow crops, and the cold temperatures limited the types of crops that could be cultivated. The Chavin had to develop sophisticated farming techniques, such as terraced agriculture, and adapt their diet to include hardy tubers like potatoes that could survive at high altitudes.
2. Rugged terrain: The Andes Mountains are known for their rugged and steep terrain, which made transportation and communication difficult for the Chavin. The mountainous landscape, with deep valleys and narrow pathways, presented obstacles for trade and movement between different regions. The Chavin had to build intricate road systems, including suspension bridges, to navigate the challenging geography. Additionally, the mountainous landscape would have made it harder to establish large-scale agricultural systems and expand their territories, unlike civilizations in more fertile lowland areas.