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Incan Empire Aided by Global Warming

Rossella Lorenzi, Discovery News

The lake sediments also revealed a major drought that began around 880 A.D. Lasting up to a century or more, the drought was probably responsible for the collapse of a previous empire, known as the Wari (550-1000 A.D.).

According to the researchers, some important lessons can be learned today from the Inca's sustainable strategies.

"Peru is considered the third most threatened country in the world by climate change, with most of its glaciers predicted to disappear by 2050. The country should be focusing on restoring and protecting its ecosystems," Chepstow-Lusty said.

According to Chepstow-Lusty, Peru should restore the vast areas of abandoned terraces and canal systems, build reservoirs, and focus its attention on a massive scale native reforestation of the Andes -- just like the Inca.

Jon Fjeldsa, an expert on biodiversity in the Andes and curator at the Natural History Museum of Denmark, agrees that the study provides evidence of an effective environmental policy by the Inca and a need to restore and protect ecosystems in Peru.

"Another interesting aspect would be to look at the geographical distribution of population centers in the Andes, which seem to correspond quite well with biodiversity hotspots and stable local climates," Fjeldsa told Discovery News.

Related Links:

HowStuffWorks.com: Inca

Rossella Lorenzi's Blog: Archaeorama

Discovery News: Archaeology