Expressions of Power in Public Architecture in the Lurín Valley

Summary

This paper examines public architecture and expressions of power in the Lurín Valley of central-coast Peru. During the Late Intermediate and Late Horizon Periods, adobe pyramids with ramps characterize the public architecture of sites in the valley. Analysis of the architectural configuration of pyramids with ramps in relation to domestic compounds within the public sectors of the settlement indicates a hierarchical arrangement. The conspicuous design and placement of the pyramids suggest a manipulation of physical space to articulate social order. An exploration of the use of public spaces at these sites can lead to a better understanding of the types of power used to create social organization in the Lurín Valley. The comparison of maps of the public structures at contemporaneous sites and information collected during excavations reveals a distinct pattern. This implies that elites used architecture to demonstrate power on a regional scale. Analysis of public and domestic architecture is based on fieldwork conducted during the 2012-2014 field seasons under the direction of Dr. Enrique Lopez-Hurtado.

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This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 80th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (2015)   •
• Landscape and Social Organization during the Late Intermediate and Late Horizon Periods in the Lower Lurin Valley, Peruvian Central Coast

Keywords

Spatial Coverage