Ancient Peruvians loved their spuds Maggie Fox Reuters Tuesday, 4 October 2005 The humble chip originated from potatoes grown in Peru about 7000 years ago (Image: iStockphoto) The first cultivated potato was grown in what is now Peru, researchers say, and it originated only once, not several times, as some experts propose. The genetic study shows the first potato known to have been farmed is genetically closest to a species now found only in southern Peru, the US and UK researchers write online, ahead of print, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "This result shows the potato...