A.D. 600 Cultural and Environmental Transformation in Ancient Peru

In Peruvian archaeology 600 AD has been recognized as a period of important social and environmental transformations, which chronologically has served to mark the end of the Early Intermediate Period and the start of the Middle Horizon; characterized by the demise of archaeological cultures such as Moche and Nasca, and the appearance of Wari material culture in the coast. Recent research centered on this time period has confirmed that important climatic oscillations, such as the presence of an El Niño event of considerable proportions, characterized this moment. Likewise, this research is showing a longer presence of Early Intermediate Period societies in different parts of the Peruvian coast. This session proposes to re-evaluate this period from different regions, focusing on the varied political, cultural, religious and environmental responses triggered by this context. Among these responses are the exploitation of water resources for the construction of new settlements, the enlargement of irrigation systems, as well as the aggrandizement of local elites in different parts of the Peruvian coast. Likewise, this session proposes to re-examine the validity of current chronologies, particularly in relation with the end of the Early Intermediate Period and the beginning of the Middle Horizon.