The Salinar of the Middle Valley: An Overview of the Post-Initial Period Salinar Occupation at the Archaeological Site of Menocucho, North Coast of Peru

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.

The Salinar phenomenon began after the collapse of the Chavín culture in part of the north coast of Peru around 500 BC. According to several studies, the Salinar period was a time of significant changes in the area. The inhabitants intensified agricultural production, connected with other regions, and apparently engaged in cycles of conflicts. The archaeological site of Menocucho, located in the middle section of the Moche Valley, was one of the first monumental sites inland after the Preceramic period (5000–1800 BC). It presents several occupations beginning in the Initial period (1800 BC). During two excavation seasons at the site, the authors identified a short but intense occupation corresponding to the Salinar period. Interesting changes occurred in both the architecture and the material culture. Additionally, this occupation was marked by intense pluvial events that left at least 20 cm of sedimentary layers created by recurrent flooding. In this presentation, the authors will provide evidence of the Salinar occupation at the site and engage in a discussion of what is understood as Salinar through the local and regional data and its implication for the future understanding of the archaeology of the north coast of Peru.

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): 39488.0