article
An early subsistence exchange system in the Moche Valley, Peru
Journal of field archaeology • 6 (4) • Published In 1979 • Pages: 413-432
By: Pozorski, Shelia Griffis, Pozorski, Thomas George.
Abstract
The authors excavated at the sites of Gramalote and Caballo Muerto in the Moche Valley on the north coast of Peru, examining midden deposits for subsistence remains. Burials, ceramics, textiles and textile impressions, worked stone, and architectural remains were also unearthed. Due to poor preservation at Caballo Muerto no plant remains were found, so indirect evidence is used to determine the presence of plants. Tables list the plant and animal species found at both sites. Although Caballo Muerto was located to take advantage of irrigation agriculture, most protein came from marine animals. Coastal and inland sites would have formed a complementary economic unit: coastal sites supplied coastal resources such as shellfish and fish, and inland sites provided agricultural produce including cotton. Settlement patterns from other sites on the north coast indicate this subsistence pattern was common, as it is unlikely that the variety of plant species found at some coastal sites could have been grown locally.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2014
- Region
- South America
- Sub Region
- Central Andes
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Archaeologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Sarah Berry; 2012
- Field Date
- 1973-1974
- Coverage Date
- 3800-2400 BP (1800-400 BC)
- Coverage Place
- Gramalote and Caballo Muerto, Trujillo province (Moche Valley), La Libertad, Peru
- Notes
- Shelia Pozorski, Thomas Pozorski
- Includes bibliographical references
- LCCN
- 75641025
- LCSH
- Andes Region--Antiquities