Abstract. This integrated pedo-geoarchaeological study focuses on three abandoned pre-Hispanic terrace agricultural systems near Laramate in the southern Andes of Peru (14.5° S), aiming to unravel the pedological and land-use history of the region, which served as a significant agricultural hub during pre-Hispanic times. The key objectives of the investigation involved contextualizing the former agricultural management system within its geomorphological and palaeoecological framework and assessing the impact of agricultural practices on soil development and quality by comparing non-irrigated agricultural terrace soils with their undisturbed palaeo-pedological counterparts. The Laramate terrace complex, with its diverse terrace systems and varied geomorphological and geological settings, provided an ideal setting for the investigation. This comprehensive examination integrated a range of methodologies, including field surveys, digital mapping, and geomorphological analysis based on GIS and remote sensing applications, soil analysis (e.g. grain size, bulk chemistry, nutrient budget), plant microfossils (phytoliths and starch), and radiocarbon dating. In the Laramate region, the geomorphological setting of terrace agricultural systems promotes their optimal functioning. The terraces are often located in sun-sheltered areas with western exposure on middle and lower slopes or valley bottoms, which mitigate intense solar radiation, reduce evapotranspiration, increase soil moisture, and minimize erosion. The study identifies three soil groups in the Laramate region: Phaeozems, Andosols, and Anthrosols. Unique characteristics of Phaeozems challenge typical descriptions, influenced by factors such as climatic seasonality, vegetation, fauna, lithology, and aeolian inputs. The terrace soils in the Laramate region are classified as Terric Anthrosols, showing no significant degradation even after long-term use. Their balanced acidity and nutrient levels support Andean crop cultivation. Traditional non-mechanized tools, such as the chaquitaclla and rucana, likely minimized soil disruption. The terrace tillage horizons have high organic matter, indicating intentional organic manuring. Phytolith concentrations suggest intensive agricultural activity, particularly maize cultivation, with varying patterns suggesting changes in cultivation, fertilization, or mulching practices over time. Starch grain identification aligns with phytolith analyses, reinforcing maize's significance in the region. Although the use of animal-origin fertilizers requires further investigation, there is no evidence of nutrient maintenance through seasonal burning. Irrigation was minimal, and the abandonment of the pre-Hispanic cultivation system was unlikely due to soil exhaustion or terrace instability. Overall, the pre-Hispanic history of terrace agriculture in the Laramate region extends over four development phases, reflecting dynamic interactions between environmental, cultural, and agricultural factors. The initial phase, from the Formative Paracas period to the Early Nasca period (800 BCE–200 CE), witnessed the establishment of agricultural terraces with simple terrace architecture, while the Middle Horizon (600–1000 CE) saw systematic areal expansion influenced by the Wari culture. Adaptations to drier conditions included terrace agriculture on volcanic soils. The Late Intermediate period (1000–1450 CE) witnessed hydrological variability and further terrace expansion to lower altitudes and less agriculturally suitable locations. The final phase, marked by the onset of the Hispanic colonial period in 1535 CE, saw the gradual abandonment of terrace agricultural systems due to demographic shifts and reorganization of production systems. Despite this, the historical trajectory underscores the adaptability and resilience of pre-Hispanic communities in the Laramate region, showcasing innovative terrace agriculture as a means of coping with changing environmental conditions across diverse landscape units.

中文翻译：

---

农业对秘鲁安第斯山脉西部热带山地土壤的影响：拉拉马特地区（南纬 14.5°）梯田农业系统的土壤地质考古研究


摘要。这项综合的土壤地质考古研究侧重于秘鲁安第斯山脉南部（南纬 14.5°）拉拉马特附近三个废弃的前西班牙时期梯田农业系统，旨在揭示该地区的土壤学和土地利用历史，该地区在前西班牙时期是重要的农业中心。调查的主要目标包括将以前的农业管理系统置于其地貌和古生态框架内，并通过将未灌溉的农业梯田土壤与未受干扰的古土壤进行比较来评估农业实践对土壤发育和质量的影响。Laramate 阶地综合体拥有多样化的阶地系统和不同的地貌和地质环境，为调查提供了理想的环境。这项全面的检查整合了一系列方法，包括实地调查、数字制图和基于 GIS 和遥感应用的地貌分析、土壤分析（例如颗粒大小、体积化学、养分预算）、植物微化石（植硅体和淀粉）和放射性碳测年。在 Laramate 地区，梯田农业系统的地貌环境促进了它们的最佳功能。梯田通常位于中下坡或谷底向西暴露的阳光遮蔽区域，可以减轻强烈的太阳辐射，减少蒸散，增加土壤水分，并最大限度地减少侵蚀。该研究确定了拉拉马特地区的三个土壤组：Phaeozems、Andosols 和 Anthrosols。Phaeozems 的独特特征挑战了典型的描述，受气候季节性、植被、动物群、岩性和风积输入等因素的影响。 Laramate 地区的梯田土壤被归类为 Terric Anthrosols，即使长期使用也没有明显的退化。它们平衡的酸度和营养水平支持安第斯作物种植。传统的非机械化工具，如 chaquitaclla 和 rucana，可能最大限度地减少了土壤破坏。梯田耕作层的有机质很高，表明有意识地施用有机肥料。植硅体浓度表明农业活动密集，尤其是玉米种植，不同的模式表明耕作、施肥或覆盖做法随着时间的推移而变化。淀粉粒鉴定与植硅体分析一致，加强了玉米在该地区的重要性。尽管需要进一步调查动物源性肥料的使用，但没有证据表明通过季节性燃烧来维持养分。灌溉很少，由于土壤枯竭或梯田不稳定，不太可能放弃前西班牙时期的耕作系统。总体而言，拉拉马特地区梯田农业的前西班牙时期历史跨越了四个发展阶段，反映了环境、文化和农业因素之间的动态互动。初始阶段，从形成帕拉卡斯时期到早期纳斯卡时期（公元前 800 年至公元 200 年），见证了具有简单梯田建筑的农业梯田的建立，而中期地平线（公元 600-1000 年）则见证了受瓦里文化影响的系统性区域扩张。对更干燥条件的适应包括火山土壤上的梯田农业。中晚期（公元 1000-1450 年）见证了水文变化和阶地进一步扩展到较低的海拔和不太适合农业的地方。 最后阶段以公元 1535 年西班牙殖民时期的开始为标志，由于人口变化和生产系统的重组，梯田农业系统逐渐被放弃。尽管如此，历史轨迹强调了拉拉马特地区前西班牙裔社区的适应性和韧性，展示了创新的梯田农业作为应对不同景观单元中不断变化的环境条件的一种手段。