Unexpected Social Complexity in the mid-Zaña Valley, North Coast, Peru

Summary

Based on recent fieldworks, this paper argues for a major rethinking of the Gallinazo-Mochica relationship. Investigations in the mid-Zaña Valley have revealed unexpected architectural and social complexity at the site of Songoy-Cojal. The predominantly residential Cojal show​s an abundant co-presence of stylistically Gallinazo and Mochica remains. In addition to fineline decorated ceramics perhaps from farther south, there is a strong Gallinazo-like presence, which may be characteristic of in the Lambayeque region (i.e., La Leche, Lambayeque and Zaña valley region). This evidence, combined with the presence of highly differentiated architectural configurations suggests distinct social and/or functional interrelationships around the site. This important discovery suggests that the users and perhaps makers of Gallinazo- and Mochica-style artifacts were engaged in unexpectedly complex social relationships that endured centuries longer than previously expected. This paper examines some of the possible implications of the intense co-presence of these two distinct stylistic traditions, indicating that our perception of the relationship between non-Mochica and Mochica peoples is in need of significant refinements.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)   •
• Everybody Else: The Predecessors and Contemporaries of the Moche on the North Coast of Peru

Keywords

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