Sociocultural Changes in Cajamarca Region during the Early Intermediate Period and the Middle Horizon

Summary

In this paper we discuss the chronology of the Cajamarca culture of the Peruvian Northern Highlands to consider the social dynamics during the Early Intermediate Period and the Middle Horizon. We present the excavation data from the two archaeological sites, Complejo Turístico Baños del Inca and El Palacio that correspond to the period from the final part of the Early Cajamarca Phase to the Middle Cajamarca Phase. The Cajamarca culture during the Middle Cajamarca Phase A (A.D. 600-750) presents maximum cultural integration as indicated by the characteristics of kaolin ceramics and settlement pattern, while we can observe the ceramic diversity during the Middle Cajamarca Phase B and C (A.D. 750-950). We analyze the subterranean canals of the two sites that would indicate the climatic condition of those periods. Finally we consider the character of the Cajamarca culture and society. The Cajamarca presents cultural continuity and flexibility as long as 1600 years and it contrasts with the vulnerability of other cultures as Moche and Lima.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• A.D. 600 Cultural and Environmental Transformation in Ancient Peru   •
• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 16140