Defining the Organization of Middle Sicán (Peru) Governance

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2021: General Sessions" session, at the 86th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

What do the multiplicity and coexistence of monumental mounds commonly called huacas at a single site represent about group(s) that built them? Do these huacas symbolize distinct, unrelated (in terms of kinship), competing sociopolitical groups or, conversely, related, multiple lineages, or something else? These questions guide our ongoing research at the Middle Sicán capital of Sicán on the north coast of Peru. In essence, we aim to clarify the organization of Middle Sicán leadership. Six monumental huacas at the site were all built close in time (ca. 1000CE) using the same construction method and materials, but have different configurations and dimensions. They all have an elite cemetery closely attached. Associated artifacts and art show that they all share the same religion. In this paper we discuss emerging results of the systematic, multi-pronged comparison of varied samples from two best-preserved huacas in regard to the technology and chemical composition (INAA) of fine ceramics, funerary customs, and bioarchaeological and stylistic-iconographic features. The first two analyses have already revealed some important differences. We highlight both differences and similarities between the two huacas and consider their implications for competing hypotheses regarding the nature and form of the Middle Sicán governance.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 86th Annual Meeting, Online (2021)   •
• SAA 2021: General Sessions

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 32278