Cueva de las Pirámides: New evidence of early occupation in the Upper Amazon

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Reflections and Ripples of the Caiman: Papers in the Spirit of Don Lathrap" session, at the 90th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

This presentation outlines the findings from archaeological research conducted in the Upper Amazon region of the Upper Huallaga Basin. Interregional exchanges between the Andes and the Amazon are widely recognized as pivotal in shaping Andean civilization. In the mountainous regions of the Upper Huallaga Basin, these interactions are evident as early as the Initial Period, particularly through ceramics exhibiting significant Amazonian influence. However, since the pioneering work at the Cueva de las Lechuzas site (Tingo María) by Donald Lathrap and his colleagues, archaeological investigations on the rainforest side of the region have largely been inactive. Our recent excavation at Cueva de las Pirámides, located approximately 6 km from Cueva de las Lechuzas, uncovered evidence of ancient occupations spanning a long period. The 2022-2023 excavations revealed thick, coarse pottery in the upper layers, likely from the Late Pre-Hispanic period, while the lower layers yielded finely crafted ceramics from the Initial Period or Early Horizon. Beneath these, a pre-ceramic cultural layer was identified. These findings not only contribute to refining the chronological framework of the Upper Amazon but also offer valuable insights into the historical relationships between the Andes and the Amazon.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Reflections and Ripples of the Caiman: Papers in the Spirit of Don Lathrap   •
• Society for American Archaeology 90th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO (2025)

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 50606