Cucurbits in Andean Prehistory

Cucurbits were recovered at archaeological sites from three geographical areas: (1) Coastal Peru, (2) the Andean Highlands, and (3) the Andean region of Northern Argentina. Analysis indicates that cucurbits were cultivated in the Coastal Plain of Peru as long ago as 4000–3000 B.C., perhaps longer. Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl., Cucurbita moschata, Duch. ex Poir, and the perennial squash, C. ficifolia Bouche were among the first cultigens. At a later date C. maxima Duch. is recorded from this area. It is probable that C. moschata and C. ficifolia reached the area from Central America or Mexico. Two sites excavated in the Andean Highlands yielded only limited amounts of cucurbit material, probably because the plants are not adapted to high altitude culture. Only rinds of L. siceraria and a species of Cucurbita were present. Exploration of archaeological sites in Northern Argentina is just commencing as far as cultivated plant materials are concerned, and little has yet been published. My identification of plant materials from excavations in Northern Argentina indicates an abundance of well-preserved C. maxima and L. siceraria.