1

Early Map of South America
1600
South America

2

Potatoes are native to South America. The potato was first used as a source of food in the highlands of the Andes perhaps as early as 10 thousand years ago. Evidence for the great antiquity of potato cultivation is supported by pottery made by the Mochica, Chima and Inca cultures which flourished on the northern coast of Peru.

3

Potato motif in Andean art
1600
The Andes, South America

4

Pottery pieces were made to resemble potatoes and sometimes showed potatoes with human characteristics. The potato was also believed to have medicinal qualities and was rubbed on the skin of sick patients as a remedy. The Inca people worshipped potato gods and celebrated rituals to ensure the success of the potato crops.

5

The most efficient tool of the ancient Andean people was the taclla or foot plow.
1600
from South America

6

The most efficient tool of the ancient Andean people was the taclla or foot plow.
Cultivation of the potato involved turning the sod with a foot plow, into which the weight of the body would be thrown. This plow was called a taclla and was made of wood. An assistant would turn the sod over after it had been cut. The implement was 5 or 6 feet high and the pointed tip was hardened by fire or covered in copper. Two handle like projections were bound to this shaft, one for the foot and the other for the arm. The taclla, now with an iron blade, is still used today.

7

Preserving potatoes in the Andes
1600
The Andes, South America

8

The Andean native people practiced crop rotation on a regular basis; thereby never impoverishing the land. At the time of the Spanish conquest they may even have developed frost resistant varieties. Some of the varieties of potatoes were cut up, left on the ground overnight to freeze and later dried by being walked on, thus squeezing the water from the cells of the potato. The resulting product was called Chuno and could be stored for long periods of time. It was usually eaten as it was or in a stew called Chupa.

9

Woodcut of Potato Plant illustrating Bauhin's Prodomos 1620
1620
England

10

Archaeological evidence that the Aymara Indians who lived near Lake Titicaca high in the Andes have been cultivating potatoes for over 5000 years. Potatoes were a vital part of the Inca diet and culture and by the time of the Spanish conquest in 1532, the Incas had terraced vast mountainside areas for the production of potatoes.