Which farming methods helped the Inca farm the hillsides
The Inca used several innovative farming techniques to farm the steep hillsides of their mountainous terrain. Some of the methods they used include:
1. Terracing: The Inca built terraces on the hillsides to create flat areas for planting crops. These terraces helped prevent soil erosion and allowed for more efficient irrigation.
2. Irrigation systems: The Inca built intricate irrigation systems to bring water to their crops on the slopes. They used aqueducts, canals, and underground channels to transport water from rivers and streams to the terraced fields.
3. Crop rotation: The Inca practiced crop rotation to maintain soil fertility and prevent depletion of nutrients. They grew different crops in the terraces each season, allowing the soil to replenish nutrients naturally.
4. Intercropping: The Inca planted different crops together in the same field to maximize space usage and improve crop yield. For example, they might plant corn, potatoes, and quinoa together in a single terrace.
5. Use of llama manure: The Inca used llama manure as a natural fertilizer to enrich the soil in their terraced fields. This helped maintain soil fertility and improve crop yields.
By utilizing these farming methods, the Inca were able to successfully grow crops on the challenging terrain of the Andes mountains and sustain their civilization for centuries.