Tracing Interaction Networks in a Mosaic of Politico-Geographical Regions at the Site of Wimba, Amazonas, Peru

Summary

The ecological setting and the political formations located in the Ceja de Selva raise unique terminological and conceptual questions for the study of interaction networks. Specifically, how do we best recreate meaningful "archaeological regions" within a mosaic of ecological zones and groups with poorly known culture histories? Presenting results from the Proyecto Arqueológico Wimba – 2016, this paper analyzes the chronological development of the Wimba site within the Ceja de Selva of eastern Amazonas, Peru. Based on stratigraphy, radiocarbon dates, material culture, and architecture, Wimba went through both periods of local development and periods of involvement in regional interaction networks in the Late Intermediate Period (1000-1450 CE). The site is located along strategic pathways between the highland Chacha and eastern lowlands, and it includes diverse structures and open spaces that hosted communal gatherings. Excavation results show a long-term occupation that includes at least three phases of architectural construction. Recovered materials indicate that intra-regional exchange networks were most prevalent until the final occupation, when the impact of highland groups was felt. This paper argues that communal gatherings functioned as centrifugal forces in interaction networks, and most importantly helped "emplace" a regional network that incorporated multiple nearby ecological regions.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 83rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2018)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 20595