'White gold' guano fertilizer drove agricultural intensification in the Atacama Desert from ad 1000

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dc.contributor.authorSantana-Sagredo, Francisca
dc.contributor.authorSchulting, Rick J.
dc.contributor.authorMendez-Quiros, Pablo
dc.contributor.authorVidal-Elgueta, Ale
dc.contributor.authorUribe, Mauricio
dc.contributor.authorLoyola, Rodrigo
dc.contributor.authorMaturana-Fernandez, Anahi
dc.contributor.authorDiaz, Francisca P.
dc.contributor.authorLatorre, Claudio
dc.contributor.authorMcRostie, Virginia B.
dc.contributor.authorSantoro, Calogero M.
dc.contributor.authorMandakovic, Valentina
dc.contributor.authorHarrod, Chris
dc.contributor.authorLee-Thorp, Julia
dc.date.accessioned2025-01-20T23:55:21Z
dc.date.available2025-01-20T23:55:21Z
dc.date.issued2021
dc.description.abstractThe archaeological record shows that large pre-Inca agricultural systems supported settlements for centuries around the ravines and oases of northern Chile's hyperarid Atacama Desert. This raises questions about how such productivity was achieved and sustained, and its social implications. Using isotopic data of well-preserved ancient plant remains from Atacama sites, we show a dramatic increase in crop nitrogen isotope values (delta N-15) from around ad 1000. Maize was most affected, with delta N-15 values as high as +30 parts per thousand, and human bone collagen following a similar trend; moreover, their carbon isotope values (delta C-13) indicate a considerable increase in the consumption of maize at the same time. We attribute the shift to extremely high delta N-15 values-the highest in the world for archaeological plants-to the use of seabird guano to fertilize crops. Guano-'white gold' as it came to be called-thus sustained agricultural intensification, supporting a substantial population in an otherwise extreme environment.
dc.description.abstractThe source of pre-Inca agriculture in the Atacama Desert of Chile has been the subject of multiple theories, but this Article uses preserved maize remains to deduce that coastal guano deposits were utilized in an impressive display of social and ecological sophistication.
dc.fuente.origenWOS
dc.identifier.doi10.1038/s41477-020-00835-4
dc.identifier.eissn2055-0278
dc.identifier.issn2055-026X
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-020-00835-4
dc.identifier.urihttps://repositorio.uc.cl/handle/11534/95082
dc.identifier.wosidWOS:000611474000003
dc.issue.numero2
dc.language.isoen
dc.revistaNature plants
dc.rightsacceso restringido
dc.title'White gold' guano fertilizer drove agricultural intensification in the Atacama Desert from ad 1000
dc.typeartículo
dc.volumen7
sipa.indexWOS
sipa.trazabilidadWOS;2025-01-12
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