Unraveling the Political and Economic Complexities of Late Formative (600 BCE–CE 200) Cusco: A View from Muyumoqo

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Beyond Borders at the End of a Millennium: Life in the Western Andes circa 500–50 BCE" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Despite the archaeological significance of the Cusco region, research on societies that preceded the Inka in their heartland have lagged behind other areas. In particular the Late Formative (600 BCE–CE 200) presents a time of increasing social complexity, increased participation in interregional trade networks, and potential political competition between rival polities. Existing survey and excavation data indicates the rise and fall of several potential polities. Despite this insight, our understanding of the processes behind how these polities grew and what their relations were with one another as well as other regions outside of Cusco remains unclear. This paper focuses on one hypothesized center, Muyumoqo, and evaluates earlier hypotheses about the site’s occupational history, relationship with neighboring sites, and its role in the wider Cusco region. In addition to focusing on Muyumoqo as a case study, this paper reevaluates survey and previous excavation data from sites in other regions of Cusco to better understand the socioeconomic, political landscape, and daily life during the Late Formative.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Beyond Borders at the End of a Millennium: Life in the Western Andes circa 500–50 BCE   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 38436.0