book chapter

The Late Preceramic and the beginnings of Peruvian civilization

Chavin and the origins of Andean civilizationNew York • Published In 1995 • Pages: 26-42

By: Burger, Richard L..

Abstract
Burger writes about the Late Preceramic period of coastal and highland Peru. He describes their economies, including: food crops, fishing, and long distance trade; arts and artifacts, such as textiles and pyroengraved gourds; mortuary remains; and monumental architecture. He compares coastal Peru with the highlands and discusses possible long distance trade with the Amazon lowlands. The development of "settled village farming and the creation of large public works…seems to have gone hand in hand with collective labor. Life revolved around cooperative efforts" that benefitted the whole community and not individuals (pages 54-55). There is no evidence of a stratified society that used coercion to mobilize the labor force and the community authorities do not seem to have used their power to gain personal wealth or power over the individuals in their communities.
Subjects
Acculturation and culture contact
Woven and other interworked fabrics
Structures
Tools and appliances
Production and supply
External trade
Labor supply and employment
Visual arts
Classes
Community structure
Community heads
Burial practices and funerals
tradition
Coastal Andean Archaic
HRAF PubDate
2014
Region
South America
Sub Region
Central Andes
Document Type
book chapter
Evaluation
Creator Type
Archaeologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
Analyst
Sarah Berry; 2012
Field Date
not specified
Coverage Date
5000–4000 BP
Coverage Place
coastal and highland Peru
Notes
Richard L. Burger
Includes bibliographical references
LCCN
92080337
LCSH
Andes Region--Antiquities