That’s a Wrap: Understanding Processes of Cranial Modification among post-Wari populations from Huari-Vegachayoq Moqo

Summary

This study examines cranial vault modification (CVM) frequency and styles among 35 crania from the Vegachayoq Moqo sector at the site of Huari, the former capital of the Wari Empire. The crania date to the post-Wari era (AD 1250 – 1400). In order to document the process by which they were modified, the crania were analyzed by noting the number of pad impressions and locations, as well as the center of applied pressure; the design of the modification devices was extrapolated from the observed impressions. Results show that among the 30 adult crania, 53% exhibit modification and two of the five children’s crania (40%) are modified. Based on the analyses of the modified crania, there appear to be two types of CVM in this sample, in addition to the unmodified ones. Given that other studies have suggested that CVM was used as a marker of ethnic affiliation, there may be three distinct social or ethnic groups within this population. Stable isotope data (carbon and oxygen) from dental enamel will also be compared between the two modified groups and the unmodified crania to examine differences in childhood diet and water source, if any.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage