When was jerking invented?

Jerking, a method of preserving meat by drying it with salt and spices, is believed to have originated with indigenous peoples in the Americas long before European contact, possibly dating back to the 16th century. The term "jerky" comes from the Spanish Word "charqui," which itself is derived from the Quechua Word "ch'arki." The practice became popular among European settlers and has evolved over time into the jerky products we know today.