ANTH-110 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Erythroxylum, Main Source, Periodization Of Pre-Columbian Peru
23 Sep 2016
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Document Summary
The inka state notably valued the coca leaves and its implications. Even though uncertainty prevailed, the novel use of the coca leaves was dated to be sometime between the end of the early intermediate period (ca. 1-550 ce) and the beginning of the middle horizon period (ca. The leaves mark their significance best through the fact that both the living and dead carried the leaves in their mouths. From sacrificial victims to common man laborers, the coca leaves were in such high demands and importance that the inka state decided to colonize the eastern lowlands to cultivate large fields of coca. Even though the indigenous population continued to value the leaves, the spaniards completed condemned its prevailing use. Surprisingly, even after the robust hatred the existence of coca persevered and all the people associated with its profile raising profited immensely. The use of this leaf isn"t restricted to just a lifestyle or even humans.
