Conversation so far:
Are there any other interesting aspects about this article?
Cotton (of the species Gossypium barbadense) likely provided the basis of the dominance of inland over coast (whether development was earlier, later, or contemporaneous).
What was their civilization like?
Norte Chico's development is particularly remarkable for the apparent absence of a staple food.
Why is it remarkable?
Though not edible, it was the most important product of irrigation in the Norte Chico, vital to the production of fishing nets (that in turn provided maritime resources.
What food sources did they have the most abundance of?
However, recent studies increasingly dispute this and point to maize as a dietary backbone of this and later pre-Columbian civilizations.
Is there anything of note about the cotton the article speaks of?
Cotton (of the species Gossypium barbadense) likely provided the basis of the dominance of inland over coast (whether development was earlier, later, or contemporaneous).

Question: Was their food source mainly plant or meat based?
Self-contained rewrite: Was Norte Chico´s food source mainly plant or meat based?