The initial appearance of political complexity in South America is likely associated with:
A) coastal groups dependent on the rich maritime resources
B) Amazonian farmers largely reliant on maize and taro
C) inland groups associated with evidence of agricultural intensification
D) highland groups practicing intensive potato-based agriculture
E) coastal groups planting maize and squash in garden plots

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Evidence suggests that the initial appearance of political complexity in South America was associated with inland groups that practiced agricultural intensification, which allowed them to support larger populations and develop more complex social and political structures. Coastal groups and Amazonian farmers were important too, but they likely came later in the development of political complexity. Highland groups may have also played a role, but evidence for intensive potato-based agriculture is more closely associated with the time period after the emergence of political complexity. Coastal groups planting maize and squash in garden plots may have been an early agricultural strategy, but there is not enough evidence to suggest that it was directly linked to the emergence of political complexity.

The Initial Appearance of Political Complexity in South America Is