Las Pailas. Nuevos aportes para la comprensión de la agricultura prehispánica en el Valle Calchaquí Norte

Abstract

Las Pailas is one of the most extensive and most important archaeological sites with evidence of farming at the Calchaquí Valley. The cultivated area has been of 500 ha, irrigated by a complex network of canals to distribute water from the melting of snow peaks. The agricultural area is divided into two sections called Las Pailas 1 and 2, separated by a mountain range which is crossed by an archaeological way. This channel of communication between the two sectors is continuing west to get to Nevado de Cachi. The survey and study of the agricultural setting of the archaeological site is the starting point for analyzing the relationship of people to land during two millennia of occupation in Las Pailas.