Transitions in Past and Present: The Introduction of Huaca Dos Cruces and Huaca Tronco Prieto

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Bridging Time, Space, and Species: Over 20 Years of Archaeological Insights from the Cañoncillo Complex, Jequetepeque Valley, Peru, Part 2" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

The transition into the Late Intermediate period (LIP) (~1000 CE) held many changes for residents of the Cañoncillo region, but, as of yet, it is unclear why the prominent sites of Huaca Colorada and Tecapa were abandoned in favor of nearby mounds and architectural complexes. These shifts may result from a combination of social and environmental pressures including the introduction of new cultures like the Chimú and Lambayeque to the region, shifts in ideology, as well as dune encroachment. LIP sites in the southern Jequetepeque Valley exhibit ceramic markers of both cultural traditions, some of which are certainly produced on-site. This paper introduces the sites of Huaca Dos Cruces and Huaca Tronco Prieto where the Cañoncillo team will begin excavations in 2024. Covering an area of 5 km2, the sites are composed of three prominent mounds surrounded by agricultural fields and small domestic enclaves. Preliminary survey in 2023 established distinct use areas including workshops, cemeteries, and possible ceremonial spaces with formal architecture. With the diversity of activities already visible at the sites, as well as evidence of multiple cultures interacting with them, these sites have the exciting potential to demonstrate a wide-ranging view of LIP society in the region.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Bridging Time, Space, and Species: Over 20 Years of Archaeological Insights from the Cañoncillo Complex, Jequetepeque Valley, Peru, Part 2   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 38903.0