Answer :
Final answer:
The crop that laid the foundation for centralized societies like the Aztec and Inca is corn (maize), which was domesticated around 8,000 years ago in Mesoamerica. Its cultivation allowed communities to transition from nomadic to sedentary agricultural lifestyles, boosting population growth and social structures. Additionally, corn, alongside beans and squash, formed an advantageous agricultural triad that supported the development of complex societies.
Explanation:
Domestication and Centralized Societies
The crop that provided a foundation for centralized societies like the Aztec and the Inca is corn (maize). Domesticated around 8,000 years ago in Mesoamerica, corn was essential for developing sedentary agricultural communities, leading to the rise of complex societies.
According to archaeological evidence, the domestication of maize, originating from the wild grass teosinte, played a crucial role in the agricultural revolution in the Americas. By enhancing farming practices, communities became less mobile and relied on stable food sources.
The Significance of Corn
As societies evolved, the cultivation of corn, along with beans and squash, formed a triad that supported population growth and social organization. The various diets provided by these crops improved nutrition and allowed for larger, more centralized populations.
Therefore, the domestication of corn was vital for civilizations such as the Aztec and the Inca, as it facilitated the shift from nomadic lifestyles to established, hierarchical societies.
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