One of the most salient features in the last millennium of climate history is the Little Ice Age, a loosely-defined period of cold temperatures and increased climatic variability that has been documented in many parts of the globe.* As this figure shows, the Little Ice Age is identified in the Quelccaya climate record as a period of 'colder' (more negative) d18O roughly bracketed between 1550 A.D. and 1900 A.D. The accumulation record is more complex, showing a pronounced wet period before 1700 followed by significantly drier conditions thereafter.
500-600 Early Intermediate: Regional centers of culture flourished in coastal valleys.
600-1000 Middle Horizon: Rise and establishment of 1, 2, or more highland empires (this period is divided into two eras, prior to 800 when Huari served as the center for a large highland empire, and after 800 when highland cultures continued to flourish despite the fall of Huari).
1000-1476 Late Intermediate: A number of regional culture centers rose on the coast.
1476-1532 Late Horizon: The highland Inca Empire quickly establishes hegemony over a vast region from Quito (now in Ecuador) to northern Chile.
Photo Credits:
Lonnie Thompson
Byrd Polar Research Center, The Ohio State University
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