Climate change intensified violence in the south-central Andean highlands from 1.5 to 0.5 ka

Abstract The archaeology of the pre-contact Andes provides an ideal study human responses to climate change given region's extreme climatic variability, excellent archaeological preservation, and robust paleoclimate records. We evaluate effects on frequency interpersonal violence in south-central from ca. 1.5–0.5 ka (AD 470–1540) by comparing incidents skeletal trauma observed among 2753 crania 58 sites rates ice accumulation at Quelccaya Glacier. find that, highlands, odds identifying inter-personal increase average a multiplicative factor 2.4 (1.8–3.2; 95% C.I.) for every 10-centimeter decrease annual accumulation. Our statistical analysis does not detect relationship between coastal or mid-elevation populations. This disparity likely resulted variable economic sociopolitical strategies different elevations. failure rain-fed agriculture during periods drought concomitant dissolution organizing polities predisposed highland populations socioeconomic stress violent competition limited resources. Conversely, diversity lowland midland economies may have buffered against effect drought.