The research paper will examine critically some aspect of South American prehistory that is of interest. The essay should be on a topic that is as regionally, chronologically, and topically/methodologically as specific as possible. Better to go into depth on a narrow topic than to start with too broad a topic and be superficial.
Successful papers will present a clear thesis on a specific issue, explain why it is important, and critically evaluate, organize and analyze sources on the topic in 6-8 pages. You will be expected to at least three scholarly sources (monographs, articles in professional journals, etc). Choose and use sources and case studies to support your arguments. Cite sources for all your important points, whether paraphrased or direct quotations, and have a References Cited section at the end. You may use maps or figures to clarify or help your argument, but cite their sources too. (Figures and References Cited do not count to the page count)
I woul
d like the paper to be about the role of climate change in the collapse of the Tiwanaku state in the south-central Andes around 1000-1100 AD. There is evidence that the collapse of the Tiwanaku state was related to the deterioration of their agricultural systems which can be linked to climate change by looking at ice cap and soil sediment data that dates back to 1000-1400 AD. In addition, signs of the decline of the Tiwanaku state can be interpreted from archaeological evidence that provides information about patterns of agricultural field use and the eventual lack thereof. Ice cap and soil sediment data indicate abrupt climate change in the form of persistent drought and decreases in mean precipitation levels around the decline of the Tiwanaku state that are likely an important factor in its ultimate collapse.
I will provide PDFs of the sources that Id like for you to use. I will specify what I want the main argument to be, and what I want the counterargument to be.