Seabird Guano Fueled the Rise of Peru's Chincha Kingdom

Recent archaeological research has revealed that the ancient Chincha Kingdom in Peru used seabird guano as a fertilizer to significantly boost maize production. This agricultural enhancement played a key role in the kingdom's economic and political rise. Biochemical analyses support the conclusion that guano was a critical resource managed and regulated by the Chincha people. The findings highlight the importance of natural resources in the development of pre-Columbian societies in the Chincha Valley, located in the Ica region of Peru. This research sheds light on the strategies employed by the Chincha Kingdom to sustain and expand their influence prior to and during interactions with the Inca Empire.