Ancient Farming Practices Reveal Clues for Modern Sustainability

In recent archaeological discoveries, researchers have uncovered evidence of ancient civilizations grappling with climate change and unsustainable farming practices, such as at Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Viking colonies in Greenland. However, some ancient agricultural methods proved resilient. For instance, Zuni farmers in the southwestern United States used small-scale irrigation during droughts, while Ghanaian farmers relied on drought-tolerant grains.
Today, as modern farmers face climate challenges, there is renewed interest in these ancient techniques. Spanish farmers are reviving Moorish irrigation methods, and Texas ranchers are using ancient cover cropping practices. Yet, without considering historical contexts, the revival of these methods may overlook crucial lessons about power and sustainability.
For example, Maya milpa farming in Mexico and Central America involves controlled burns and forest conservation, practices now threatened by land privatization and modern adaptations that restrict traditional methods. Similarly, the ancient chinampa system of artificial islands in central Mexico faces risks from urban expansion, despite its historical resilience.
Efforts to revive Andean raised field farming in the 1980s failed because the labor-intensive practices had been historically linked to exploitation by the Tiwanaku Empire. This underscores the importance of understanding the political and social contexts of ancient agricultural practices.
Reclaiming ancestral farming techniques can promote sustainable food systems, particularly when led by descendant communities. However, acknowledging the political dimensions of these practices is essential to honoring their histories and ensuring their viability in contemporary contexts.