Convergent catastrophe and the demise of Dos Cabezas: Environmental change and regime change in ancient Peru

Moseley, Michael Edward; Donnan, Christopher B.; Keefer, David K.

essay

Convergent catastrophe and the demise of Dos Cabezas: Environmental change and regime change in ancient Peru

art and archaeology of the moche : an ancient andean society of the peruvian north coast • Austin • Published In 2008 • Pages: 81-91

By: Moseley, Michael Edward, Donnan, Christopher B., Keefer, David K..

Abstract
The authors examine damage done to the site of Dos Cabezas in the Jequetepeque Valley from a mega El Niño event during the seventh century AD and how inhabitants coped with a prolonged catastrophe spanning generations. After one severe event, the principal platform had to be repaired and tombs were placed in it. But a dune field began to form, eventually engulfing the site. Some buildings have four superimposed floors with a stratum of aeolian sand between each. When the site was abandoned, the people likely moved to La Mina, and established the site of Pacatnamú. There are signs the move was sudden, though not unplanned: cooking and storage vessels were abandoned, but the roof beams and pillars were removed from a palace, probably for reuse. The geologic evidence for, and processes involved in, active dune formation after the El Niño are examined. It noted that these climatic processes must have occurred over much of the north coast, but that local reactions were highly variable.

Climate

Topography and geology

Soil

Post depositional processes in archaeological sites

HRAF PubDate

2015

Region

South America