How did the Diaguita people of northwestern Argentina make a living?

The Diaguita people of northwestern Argentina were a sedentary society that relied primarily on agriculture and animal husbandry to sustain themselves.1

Their livelihood was supported by several key practices:

• Agriculture: They cultivated crops in terraced fields and utilized irrigation canals to manage water in the highland environment.2
• Livestock: They maintained herds of llama, which provided a vital resource for their economy.2
• Craftsmanship: The Diaguita demonstrated significant technological skill in various industries, including:
  • Loom weaving of dyed llama-wool textiles.2
  • Basket making.2
  • An elaborate ceramic industry.2
  • Metallurgy.2

These activities allowed the Diaguita to develop a stable, sedentary lifestyle distinct from the nomadic hunting and fishing cultures found in other regions of pre-Columbian Argentina.1