Thomas Pozorski

Archaeological potato tuber remains from the casma valley of peru

A collection of 21 preserved tubers of the potato from 4 archaeological sites situated in the Casma Valley of Peru is illustrated and described. The collections from these sites date from the Preceramic Period (2000 B.C.) to the Initial Ceramic Period (1200 B.C.). Identification of the tuber remains was undertaken through a stud) of their starch grains. Comparative material used for this purpose included other archaeological collections of tuber remains from the sites of Chilca and Pachacamac, as well as the fresh and dried tubers of modern-day wild and cultivated potato species.

Exploring access control at Taukachi Tardío

Abstract Taukachi Tardío is a site of the Casma Culture or Casma Polity that dates to the Middle Horizon (AD 600-1000) and Late Intermediate Period (A.D. 1000-1470). It functioned as a checkpoint and possible repository alongside a major valley access route from the north into the Sechín Branch of the Casma Valley. Excavations there revealed that visitors were channeled through a narrow corridor and staircase system. A room with six grinding stones documents communal food preparation, and other areas of the main structure likely temporarily housed goods or people entering the valley. Taukachi Tardío provides insights into Casma Culture administrative practices, specifically the degree of intervalley access control. The short time span represented at this administrative outlier should also help us better understand the internal chronology at the nearby polity center of El Purgatorio.Taukachi Tardío es un sitio de la cultura Casma o la política de Casma que data del Horizonte Medio (600-1000 dC) y el Período Intermedio Tardío (1000-1470 dC). Funcionaba como un posible repositorio de control junto con una ruta de acceso principal del valle desde el norte hacia la rama Sechín del valle de Casma. Las excavaciones revelaron que allí los visitantes se canalizaron a través de un estrecho corredor y un sistema de escalera. Un cuarto con seis batanes documenta la preparación de alimentos comunal, y otras áreas de la estructura principal probablemente alojaban temporalmente los bienes o personas que entran en el valle. Taukachi Tardío proporciona información detallada sobre las prácticas administrativas de la cultura Casma, en particular el grado de control de acceso entre valles. El corto espacio de tiempo representado en este sitio administrativo también debe ayudarnos a entender mejor la cronología interna en el centro de la política cercana de El Purgatorio.

Pajatambo: An 18th century roadside structure in Peru

Pajatambo, located on the Peruvian coast between the Moche and Viru valleys, is the only colonial roadside structure that has been excavated in Peru. The site, which is adjacent to ancient road courses, consists of one multi-roomed building with a shallow deposit of occupation-related refuse. The ceramics, metal objects and subsistence remains indicate an 18th century date for the construction and occupation of the site.