essay

Storage and labor service: a production and management design for the Andean area

chan chan: andean desert city • Albuquerque • Published In 2010 • Pages: 333-349

By: Day, Kent C..

Abstract

It is proposed that certain structures and construction techniques at the late Moche site of Pampa Grande and the Chimu center of Chan Chan point to similarities with Inka storage facilities and use of labor service. Chimu field and irrigation systems and settlement patterns are also considered. Storage facilities are the most numerous type of adobe structure at Chan Chan. These are identified as storerooms because of their similarity to Inka structures. They probably stored high valued goods as they are isolated within high-walled [i]ciudadelas[/i] with winding corridors. Such features indicate the Chimu may have been concerned with theft. Also associated with storerooms at Chan Chan are U-shaped structures. Labor service can be assumed due to the quantity of construction materials used at Chan Chan and the manner in which [i]ciudadela[/i] walls were built: in sections that probably represent separate labor units. In addition, north of Chan Chan there are formally arranged agricultural fields, with few residential settlements in the area, that were probably lands of the nobility. The storerooms hint at another form of labor service, in the manufacture of goods to stock them. How such goods affected the general economy is considered.

HRAF PubDate

2015

Region

South America

Sub Region

Central Andes

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Archaeologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

Analyst

Sarah Berry; 2014

Field Date

not specified

Coverage Date

1500-500 BP (AD 500-1500)

Coverage Place

north coast Peru

Notes

Kent C. Day

For bibliographical references see document 18:[Moseley and Day] (2010, References)

Reprint of 1982 copy

LCCN

80054567

LCSH

Chanchán (Peru)