Ancient Colombians Built Massive Water System Through Cooperation

Archaeologists have discovered that ancient Colombians built an extensive water management system without centralized rule. The La Mojana field systems, comprising canals and raised farming ridges, were constructed by local family cooperatives around 2,000 years ago. This engineering marvel, visible from airplanes, ensured reliable water access and may have also helped trap fish. The system was used for about 1,000 years until around the 11th century CE. The findings challenge the assumption that such complex endeavors require top-down governance and offer insights for solving Colombia's current water management crisis.