Early social stratification and subsistence systems: the Caballo Muerto complex

Pozorski, Thomas George

essay

Early social stratification and subsistence systems: the Caballo Muerto complex

chan chan: andean desert city • Albuquerque • Published In 2010 • Pages: 225-253

By: Pozorski, Thomas George.

Abstract
Pozorski’s investigations at Caballo Muerto included six weeks of excavations at Huaca de los Reyes. The overall Caballo Muerto complex is described along with a more detailed description of Huaca de los Reyes. The complex is located near the Moche Valley’s neck to take advantage of steeper gradients that allow shorter leadoff canals to water large tracts of land that could have easily supported a population of at least 1200 people. However, housing was not found at Caballo Muerto despite the mounds having domestic refuse in their construction fill. Two other sites are possible contemporary housing areas: Cerro Orejas on the south side of the valley and Gramalote near Huanchaco Bay. Gramalote has been excavated and contains remains of plants that indicate they were grown with irrigation agriculture, most likely near Caballo Muerto. It appears Gramalote, possibly a satellite or colony of Caballo Muerto, exchanged shellfish and other marine products for the agricultural products. Pozorski sees this external (and internal) site stratification as evidence of a ranked status system. Huaca de los Reyes is a U-shaped mound with smaller rooms on the wings where more private activities occurred. There are also 58 friezes including large adobe heads and standing bipedal figures. The heads have human and feline characteristics reminiscent of Chavin. Corporate labor was probably used to build the mounds at Caballo Muerto. “Fifty to 100 individuals … could have easily built the second phase of … Huaca de los Reyes within 25 years.” (page 249). Subsequent occupation is noted for the site and the surrounding granitic hills into the Inca period.

Settlement patterns

Miscellaneous facilities

Religious and educational structures

Visual arts

Territorial hierarchy

Coastal Andean Early Formative

HRAF PubDate

2014