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And Environmental Setting
To the east, the highlands drop into the Amazon Basin, this transition zone is known as the ‘montana.’ Here there are dense jungles covering extremely rugged mountanious terrain. This area is the home of jaguars, caimans, large snakes, and tropical birds frequently represented in Andean art. The higher elevations are quite cool, but as the altitude decreases , the temperature and humidity rise. This environmental zone does not appear to have been as heavily populated in antiquity as the highlands and costal zones and was economically less productive. The Incas exploited the upper elevations, called the ‘Ceja de selva,’ or the eyebrow of the jungle. Here there are magnificent cloud forest envinonments with exotic plants, spectacular views, and a very agreeable climate. Some of the more spectacular Inca monuments, including Machu Pichu, are found in this environment. The most valued products of this region were brightly coloured features, tobacco, and the all-important leaves have a mildly i=narcotic effect. Coca was much prized in the ancient Andes and is still widely used today. It was so valued that in Inca times, and perhaps earlier, colonies were established in this zone to produce coca for consumption in the highlands on the coast. ~ Page 24
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