Picking up the Pieces: Bioarchaeological analysis of a looted cist tomb in the mid-Chincha Valley, Peru

Summary

This poster presents a bioarchaeological analysis of a cist tomb in the mid-Chincha Valley, Peru dating to the Late Intermediate Period (c. AD 1100-1450). Though the tomb was partially looted prior to excavation, we successfully reconstructed associations between elements from multiple individuals to gain important data regarding health status and the life course during this dynamic period in late prehistory. The analysis revealed the presence of at least 7 individuals buried in the single cist tomb. These include one adult male, one adult female placed above the male, and at least 5 sub-adults scattered throughout the tomb. Through a macroscopic analysis of health status and other indicators for all the individuals in the tomb, we outline the most probable relationship among individuals as well as information about the life histories and health status of individuals in this population. In doing so, we demonstrate the depth of data available through careful collection and reconstruction of looted contexts. Additionally, we provide important insights relevant to the study of mortuary practice during the LIP in the Chincha Valley.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

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

Keywords

Spatial Coverage