article

Recent excavations at Pampa de las Llamas-Moxeke: a complex Initial Period site in Peru

Journal of field archaeology13 (4) • Published In 1986 • Pages: 381-401

By: Pozorski, Shelia Griffis, Pozorski, Thomas George.

Abstract
Based on excavations at Pampa de las Llamas-Moxeke in the Casma Valley on the north coast of Peru, the authors believe it was an urban center that attained a state level of political organization during the Initial Period. Their testing program obtained data on chronology and subsistence. Exploration of Huaca A and aligned structures revealed several unique features at the site, with planned layout of non-domestic architecture. Restricted access to probable centralized storage of surplus production at Huaca A is taken as evidence of a bureaucracy. Furthermore, at the time of abandonment the aligned mounds and compounds were in the process of being expanded at the expense of domestic housing. Presence of a political elite is indicated by higher-status housing and by special-purpose artifacts such as stamps and seals.
Subjects
Archaeological excavation methods
Recording and collecting in the field
Government institutions
Miscellaneous facilities
Public structures
Social relationships and groups
Diet
tradition
Coastal Andean Early Formative
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
1980, 1985
Coverage Date
3800-2900 BP (1800-900 BC)
Coverage Place
Pampa de las Llamas-Moxeke (Mojeque), Casma district, Casma, Ancash, Peru
Notes
Shelia Pozorski, Thomas Pozorski
Includes bibliographical references
LCCN
75641025
LCSH
Andes Region--Antiquities