Huaynuná, a Late Cotton Preceramic Site on the North Coast of Peru

Huaynuná, a Late Cotton Preceramic Site on the North Coast of Peru

Thomas Pozorski; Shelia Pozorski

Journal of Field Archaeology, Vol. 17, No. 1. (Spring, 1990), pp. 17-26.

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Huaynuna, a Late Cotton Preceramic Site on the North Coast of Peru

Thomas Pozorslu Shelia Pozorslu University of Texas-Pan American Edinburg, Texas

Recent investigations have revealed evidence fm two distinct prehistoric Andean religious traditions at the preceramic site of Huapuna, nmth of the C m Valley. One, m e pri-vate, religious tradition t i represented by the presence ofa ventdated hearth set in a small enclosure, a feature heretofme found pmurily in early highland sites associated with the Kotosh Religious Tradition. The seumd, more public, religious tradition isrqresented by a relatively large elevated structure built on a hills&, aprecursm to the much larger rel$ious mound that are widespread on the coast ofPeru during the Initial Period. Radiocarbon ev- &nceJi.m Huaynuna, coupled with datingJi.om other Casma Valley sites, indicates that large-scale iwigation griculture, use ofpottery, and weaping did not appear in the Casma Valley area until about 1600 B.c., some 200 years later than similar occurrences on the central coastofPeru.

Introduction The site of Huaynunl (or Huaynuma) is located on the

southern edge of Huaynunl Bay some 13 km north of the Casma Valley on the north coast of Peru (FIG. 1). Overall, the site covers an area of about 11.5 ha. Its priicipal component dates to the late Cotton Preceramic Period (2200-1800 B.c.) and covers about 8 ha (FIG. 2). Later and smaller components, investigated in 1986, include one of the Initial Period (1800-900 B.G.)covering some 2.5 ha at the east end of the site, and one of the Early Horizon (900-200 B.c.), ca. 0.5 ha in area, at the west end of the site. The remaining component, also about 0.5 ha in area and probably dating to the Late Intermediate Period (A.c. 1100-1470), was not investigated. The focus of this pre- liminary paper is the larger Cotton Preceramic Period component.

Huaynund was first discovered by Coher (1962: 411) and later tested by Engel (1957a: 56; 195%: 74-75). The next series of excavations at the site was carried out by the authors in 1980 (S. Pozorski and T. Pozorski 1987: 12-16). This last was itself a preliminary investigation, consisting of 16 test pits, one of which was expanded into a controlled stratigraphic excavation (designated "L" in FIG. 2) designed to obtain chronological and subsistence information. We returned in 1986 to more fully investi- gate the site and excavated 20 additional test pits into the preceramic component. Three of these resulted in addi-

tional stratigraphic cuts (FIG. 2, areas I-K) to obtain more detailed information on subsistence, and ten of the test pits were expanded into broader architectural investiga- tions.

Preceramic Component The preceramic component of Huaynuni consists of

extensive midden, remains of some domestic structures (FIG.2, areas A-H), a small stone-walled enclosure con- taining a hearth with a ventilation trough (FIG. 2, area M; FIG.3), and a more substantial terraced hillside structure (FIG.2, area N; FIG. 4). Six burials were also encountered during midden excavations. These, however, have not been fully analyzed.

Midden The midden of Huaynunl is generally dark and ashy

with frequent patches of eroded marine shell on its irreg- ular surface. Testing showed that the midden is 1-1.5 m or more deep over most of the site. Controlled strati- graphic excavations revealed a wide variety of subsistence remains representing numerous species of shellfish, fish, and domesticated plants typical of coastal Cotton Prece- ramic Period sites (S. Pozorski and T. Pozorski 1987: 14- 16). Although most of the calories consumed by the in- habitants probably came from fish and shellfish, it is none- theless significant that some of the earliest domesticated tubers ever found in Peru were recovered from excavations

18 Huaynuna on the Coast of PmlPozmski and Pozmski

at Huaynuni: potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) (Ugent, Po-zorski, and Pozorski 1982: 84-87, 1983: 4-7), sweet potatoes ( Ipmea batatm) (Ugent, Pozorski, and Pozorski 1981: 405, 1983: 3), and achira (Canna edulzi) (Ugent, Pozorski, and Pozorski 1984: 420). Three radiocarbon dates (uncalibrated) obtained from the 1980 stratigraphic cut (FIG.2, area L) range from 2250 ? 80 to 1775 r 75 b.c. (TABLE i ) , placing the main portion of the midden squarely within the late Cotton Precerarnic Period.

DomesticArchitecture One relatively complete domestic unit (FIG.2, area A)

plus parts of at least seven additional domestic dwellings (FIG.2, areas B-H) were explored during the 1986 cam-paign. Only slight indications of these structures were visible on the surface before excavation. Further evidence of buried architecture can be seen along the northern edge

Figure 1.Map of the Casma Valley area showing the location of Huaynuni, Tormgas, and Pampa de las Llamas-Moxeke.

of the site paralleling the shoreline where wave action has gradually been erodng the midden since the unusually

Figure 2. Plan of Huaynuni showing its four components as well as the locations of architectural features and stratigraphic units excavated within the late Cotton Preceramic Period component during 1980 and 1986: A-H) remains of domestic architecture; I-L) controlled stratigraphic excavations; M) stone enclosure with ventilated hearth; and N) hillside suucture.

H I a Y W I U M Y

0 EXCAVATION TO EXPOSE ARCHTECTURE

CONTROLLED STRITIORIPHIC EXCAVATION

6 Y COllTOUa INTERVALS

Journal ofField A~chaeology/Vol.17, 1990 19

EXTERIOR FACIMO WAILS

' O ~ m O u n o --3

PROFILE I E 0 0 1 * 1 0 "EAIT.

A LEVEL or

A' ."OW .UIl lEO FLOOR r \ ICA

Figure 3. Plan of the small mound supporting the stone enclosure con-taining a ceremonial hearth with a ventilation trough.

strong El Nitio of 1982-1983.' Excavated architecture consists mainly of stone footings, one to three stones high, that once provided support for perishable superstructures. Most stones originally came from the nearby hills flanlung the west end of the site, but occasional round beach cob-bles were also utilized. Fragmentary finds of collapsed, perishable wall segments indcate that reed matting formed part of the superstructures. Excavations also showed that most of the stone footings are only partially intact, often with entire wall segments missing, because many of the stones were continually reused by the site's Inhabitants to build new houses. The few preserved rem-nants of structure floors consist of thin layers of sandy silt often laid drectly over leveled areas of dark midden. Re-covered artifacts, including netting fragments, hammer-stones, and shell implements, reveal clues about the daily subsistence activities carried out within and around these structures.

All of the excavated domestic structures are situated in

1. El Niiio is a warm ocean current that each year, in the summer of the Southern Hemisphere, flows southward along the coasts of Ecuador and Peru. This cyclical, climatic event is accompanied by changes in the atmosphere and a strong El Nifio, such as the one in 1982-1983, will engender torrential downpours and floolng in the normally arid low-lands of northern coastal Peru.

midden deposits within 70 m of the current shoreline. Numerous test pits were cut into other midden areas, both mounded areas as well as low depressions, in an attempt to locate additional domestic units. No other domestic architecture was found, however. It therefore appears that the actual resident population at the site was concentrated near the shoreline. Two radiocarbon dates (TABLE 1) ob-tained from domestic dwelling contexts show that the latter are contemporary with most of the midden at the site.

VentilatedHearth within a Small Enclosure In 1980 one test pit exposed the exterior stone facing

of a small mound located in the NE part of Huaynuni (S. Pozorski and T. Pozorski 1987: 13). One objective of the 1986 excavations was to expand this test pit in order to

Figure 4. Plan and profile of the terraced hillside structure: A) circular bedrock depression; B) circular platform on terrace 2; C) small stair-case leading up to the summit; and D) arc of wooden posts, possibly to support perishable superstructures.

P'

TERRACE 4

TERRACE 3

TERRACE *

20 Huaynuna on the Coast ofPertl/Pozmskki and Pozmski

TaMe 1. Radiocarbon dates from the Preceramic occupation of Huaynun5. RadMcarba b.c. With C13lC12

Sample no. years* equivalentst caccFMn# M a t d Contat

UGa-4522 4200 5 80 2250 a 80 charcoal Stratigraphic excavation L,

UGa-5616 4130 5 230 2220 * 230 2180 2 230 b.c. wood level 6a.

Post within bedrock depression, hillside structure.

UGa-4520 4040 2 65 2090 a 65 charcoal Stratiera~hic excavation L. lev; 2b.

wood Post within domestic architecture A.

charcoal Within ventilated hearth, structure M.

charcoal Stratigraphic excavation L, level 3c.

wood Within domestic architecture F.

cane Within circular platform, hillside structure.

wood Post on terrace 3, hillside structure.

wood Post within remodeled terrace 2 floor, hillside structure.

charcoal Midden below terrace 1, hillside structure.

wood Post on terrace 3 hillside structure.

wood Midden overlying hillside structure.

*All dates are based upon the Libby half-life (5568 + 30 years). tDates are neither corrected for C13lC12 isotope ratios nor calibrated to dendrochronologically dated wood. $Expressed in calendar years and corrected for C13lC12 isotope ratios. Dates are not calibrated to dendrochronologicdy dated wood.

more fully investigate this possible example of nondomes- tic architecture. The exterior facing walls of the mound were only partially preserved, but the top of it contained a small enclosure housing a ventilated hearth (FIG. 2, area M; PIG. 3).

The portion of the mound investigated is irregular in shape, measuring about 19 m N-s by 18 m E-w, and stands 1.5 m high. The mound consists mostly of dark midden, some of which is stratified and some of which is disturbed due to prehistoric use as fill to build up the mound interior. It is quite likely that this mound was once part of a larger accumulation of midden measuring about 32 m in diameter that has been altered by the mound construction and by erosion. Remnants of the larger mid- den mound lie to the north and east of the excavated mound.

From preserved portions of the northern and western exterior walls of the mound that were found during ex- cavation (FIG. 3), it appears that the mound was once square or rectangular, and its original dimensions were at least 10 m on each side. Like most of the construction at HuaynunB, the walls consist mainly of stone collected or quarried from nearby hills and set in a tan, sandy-silt

mortar. The small rectangular stone enclosure on the sum- mit of the mound measures about 3 m E-w by 2.5 m N-

S, with walls 40-50 cm high. It is oriented slightly east of north. The north and south walls of the room were reasonably intact, but most of the stones of the east and west walls had been removed prior to our excavation. The internal E-w dimensions of the room were obtained from both the preserved extent of the floor plaster and extant wall stubs (FIG. 3).

The middle of the north wall of the enclosure contains a single entrance. A trough for ventilation 45 cm wide, 140 cm long, and 8-17 cm deep leads through this en- trance from the outside of the enclosure to a centrally- placed, reddened hearth 70 cm long (N-s), 40 un wide (E-w), and 12 cm deep. An area of the enclosure floor extending about 25 cm out from the reddened hearth has also been changed to a brownish color by burning. The form and configuration of the hearth is quite s i d a r to ventilated hearths found at a number of highland sites (Bueno Mendoza and Grieder 1979, 1980, 1981; Burger and Salazar-Burger 1980, 1985: 116-133,1986; Grieder and Bueno Mendoza 1981: 45--46,1985; Izumi and Ter- ada 1972: 129-176). No specially burned offerings were

Journal @Field Archaeolog/Vol. 17,1990 21

found associated with the hearth, however. Charcoal re- covered from this ventilated hearth yielded a radiocarbon date of 1860 + 50 b.c. (TABLE 1).

Hillside Structure Prior to excavations in 1980, only a few rock alignments

were visible on the midden-covered surface of the hillside at the western end of the site to indicate the presence of architecture. Brief testing in 1980 revealed the existence of substantid subsurface architecture (S. Pozorski and T. Pozorski 1987: 13-14, fig. 4). A major goal of the 1986 excavations was a more thorough examination of this structure. We achieved this by uncovering virtually the entire structure (PIGS. 4,s) which had been almost com- pletely buried by shell-laden midden, also lacking ceram- ics, casually deposited by slightly later inhabitants of the site. The excavation of structure N represents the first such extensive clearing of a terraced precerarnic platform on the Peruvian coast although somewhat similar terraced hillside structures were partially investigated by Alva (1986: figs. 2 1 4 22A) at Salinas de Chao in the Chao Valley.

Excavation of the hillside structure showed that it has

Figure 5. General view of the excavated terraced hillside structure fmm the NW.

an irregular quadrangular shape, measuring about 20 m on each side. As its description implies, the structure is built on a rocky hillside and rises about 8 m fiom its base on the north to its summit on the south (PIG. 4, profile P-P'). The impressive height of this structure relative to its areal dimensions is gained primarily fiom the rise of the hillslope upon which it sits rather than fiom massive artificial construction. The structure overlooks a relatively large, flat, open area to the north that would have been an appropriate assembly place for public gatherings. The final form of the structure (apart fiom minor wall seg- ments) consists of four stone-faced terraces that are bi- sected by a central staircase leading up to a circular depres- sion hewn out of hillside bedrock (FIGS. 4,5). The structure was created by altering the face of the natural hillslope and then using the resultant angular, quarried stone as part of the wall construction and terrace fill. Additional stone quarried fiom nearby hillslopes was also used in construction. These stones were set in sandy-silt mortar obtained from an unknown source outside the immediate vicinity of the site. The badly eroded floors, covering the relatively flat, smooth terrace surfaces, consist mainly of

22 Huaynuna on the Coast OfPmtPozmkiand Pozmki

the same sandy-silt material. In some places, waterworn pebbles were used as chlnking or fill in wall and floor construction as well. Imbedded in the floors of some of the terraces were occasional wooden posts that were ap- parently used to support perishable superstructures (FIG. 4, area D). Most of these were removed for radiocarbon dating.

The circular depression hewn out of bedrock (FIG. 4, feature A) was excavated into the sloping surface about halfway up the ridge of the small hill upon which the hillside structure is located. The edge of the circular depression lies about 1.5m south of the artificial construc- tion of the temple, but its shape, proximity, and placement relative to the central staircase leave little doubt that it is associated with the hillside structure (see discussion of the radiocarbon dating evidence below, however). The floor of the circular depression was made fairly level through the use of sandy silt and angular pebble fill. Because the circular depression was cut into a sloping bedrock surface, this relatively level floor lies between 30 and 80 cm below that sloping bedrock surface. In the SE quadrant of the circular depression, a short wooden post, presumably part of a superstructure over the depression, was found imbed- ded in this floor, held in place by two boulders. This post was removed for radiocarbon dating (TABLE 1).

The discovery of this circle immediately brings to mind the numerous sunken circular plazas found at early sites with and without ceramics along the northern and central Peruvian coast (Williams 1985). Such a connection is tenuous, however, because the Huaynuni circle was ex- cavated into bedrock, lacks masonry sidewalls, and is unique in its location on top of the terraced platform. Other examples are stone-lined, at or below ground level, and positioned either in front of or lateral to associated mounds of terraced platforms. Nevertheless, given the subsequent emphasis on sunken circular plazas within Casma and valleys to the north and south, the importance of the Huaynuni example as a potential precursor andlor variant with similar function should not be overlooked.

The second terrace east of the central staircase is distin- guished by a raised circular platform, preserved to a height of 61 cm, located in the middle of the terrace (FIG. 4,

feature B). This platform is constructed of boulders 35-50 cm long that form its circumference. A few of these boulders are calcium carbonate conglomerates carried up from the nearby shoreline rather than quarried stone from the hillside. Fill consists of angular cobbles and marine shell, principally Semimytilw al&sw. Portions of the ex- terior of the circular platform have preserved plaster sur- faces, indicating that at least this exposed surface was once entirely smoothed with a plaster coating. An unusual fea-

ture of this plaster coating is the presence of cane (Gyner- zum swittatum) uprights and horizontal crosspieces used to help reinforce the plaster and bond it to the underlying boulder faces. A sample of this cane construction material was taken for radiocarbon dating (TABLE 1).

A group of three flat stones located in the SE corner of the structure (FIG. 4, feature C) are set at an oblique angle to the eastern boundary wall of the structure and form a small staircase that leads up to the bedrock summit of the structure by an alternate route. To reach this small stair- case, one needs to first climb the natural hillslope. The most gradual approach is from the north, just outside the hlllside structure and roughly parallel to its eastern bound- ary wall.

Close inspection of wall abutment parterns, exterior wall plastering, and construction techniques of the hillside structure revealed two major construction phases and at least one minor remodeling. Terraces 3 and 4 east of the central staircase (FIG. 4) formed the first construction phase. Virtually all of the remainder of the hillside struc- ture, including the western halves of terraces 3 and 4, all of terraces 1 and 2, and the central staircase, was con- structed during the second construction phase (FIG. 4). Excavations along the western side of terrace 1 revealed that it overlies earlier preceramic midden. A later remod- eling of terrace 2 raised its floor about 50 cm, partially covering the base of the circular platform.

Radiocarbon dates obtained from samples collected dur- ing the excavation of the hillside structure are remarkably consistent. Five of the seven corrected dates fall between 1650 and 1560 b.c. (TABLE I). Since the contexts of these overlapping dates include both major construction phases and the minor remodeling, it appears that all of these events occurred within the span of about 100 years or less. A sixth corrected date of 1500 t 65 b.c. is associated with wood collected from refuse overlying the hillside structure. The seventh corrected date of 2180 + 230 b.c., associated with the bedrock depression on the summit of the hillside structure, is very surprising. Even taking into account the large sigma value of this date, it is both significantly earlier than the other dates associated with the hillside structure and contemporary with the midden, ventilated hearth, and domestic architecture.

Discussion The preceramic occupation of Huaynuni spans a time

period determined by a series of uncalibrated radiocarbon dates to be between 2200 and 1500 b.c. (TABLE 1). The first 500 years of this time period, from about 2200 to 1700 b.c., witnessed the main occupation of the site area now covered by preceramic midden. Most of the surviving

Journal of Field Archaeolo~ylVol.17, 1990 23

midden was deposited during this time period. A majority of the inhabitants lived near the shoreline in relatively perishable buildings with stone footings. Two nondomes- tic structures were apparently also in use at this time: one was the small enclosure containing the ventilated hearth that was probably used for ceremonial purposes; the other was the circular bedrock depression with its associated perishable superstructure. Because of the second struc- ture's prominent and elevated position relative to the rest of the site, it could very easily have been the focal point for public gatherings. One or a few prominent community members, situated in the circular depression on the hill- side, could have presided over a gathering of people on the flat area to the north of the hill's base.

The importance of this hillside area apparently increased from about 1650 to 1600 b.c. During this time, a rela- tively large structure was built fairly quickly on the hillside immediately below the circular bedrock depression. This new structure consists of four successively higher terraces bisected by a central staircase that leads up to the now centrally-placed circular bedrock depression. It represents one of the earliest attempts in the Casma area to create a large bilaterally symmetrical structure bisected by a central staircase. Although the actual execution of the structure is somewhat crude by later standards and resulted more in balance than true symmetry, the intent, nevertheless, is clearly there. Relative to other structures at the site, this hillside structure was much larger and presumably more important. It appears likely that the size and configuration of the hillside structure represent a further elaboration and intensification of the public gathering activities begun in this area when only the circular bedrock depression and its small superstructure existed. It is tempting to suggest that the gatherings were religious in nature, but secular activities or a combination of the two cannot be entirely ruled out. P r e h a r y analysis of the artifacts recovered during the excavation of the hillside structure does not yet indicate the nature of the activities carried out there.

The hillside structure apparently ceased to be used as a major public edifice after about 1600 b.c. People who still lacked ceramics continued to live at the site until about 1500 b.c., however, as indicated by the midden covering the structure and the date obtained from wood within the upper part of this overlying midden. Apparently a some- what smaller population was present than had resided at Huaynuni prior to about 1600 b.c. This is probably be- cause of the movement of many of the coastal people to inland sites such as Pampa de las Llamas-Moxeke (FIG. 1)

ca. 1600 b.c. At these inland sites, large-scale canal irri- gation provided the means for a greatly expanded agri- cultural base compared to earlier floodwater or incipient

irrigation farming. Although the origin of canal-irrigation agriculture on coastal Peru is still obscure, its introduction into the Casma area around 1600 b.c. fueled great cultural changes. The most prominent of these changes was the construction of truly monumental architecture associated with more complex social organization (S. Pozorski and T. Pozorski 1986). At this time, settlement patterns changed markedly, and ceramics and weaving were also introdu~ed.~

The introduction of irrigation agriculture, ceramics, and weaving marks the beginning of the Initial Period (1800- 900 B.c.) in Peru (S. Pozorski 1987). On the central coast, this apparently began ca. 1800 B.C. (Lanning 1967: 83), some 200 years before similar events in Casma and may suggest that these ideas diffised from the central coast northward. The adoption of irrigation agriculture, ceram- ics, and weaving by the inhabitants of the Casma area laid the foundations for further cultural developments, just as it did in most other areas of coastal Peru. The continued occupation of Huaynuni from 1600 to 1500 b.c., how- ever, reveals that not everyone immediately adopted the new way of life that involved changing from a marine orientation that necessitated living on the coast to an agricultural orientation that required people to live further inland. Some people apparently resisted change and con- tinued to live in a more traditional manner.3 Nevertheless, the change was complete at Huaynuni by 1500 b.c. The resident population had apparently shifted to the eastern end of the site (FIG. 2), adopted ceramics and weaving, and had become a satellite community to Pampa de las Llamas-Moxeke, much llke the neighboring site of Tor- tugas (FIG. i) (S. Pozorslu and T. Pozorski 1987: 115).

Possible highland-coastal connections are suggested by the presence of the ventilated hearth set within a small enclosure at Huaynuni (FIG. 2, area M; FIG. 3) . Its asso- ciated date of 1860 zk 50 b.c. makes it contemporary with potentially analogous, preceramic ventilated hearths lo- cated at Huaricoto (Burger and Salazar-Burger 1980: 28, 1985: 117), La Galgada (Grieder and Bueno Mendoza

2. The proposed date of ca. 1600 b.c. for the introduction of irriga- tion agriculture, ceramics and weaving, and resultant settlement pattern changes differs from the 1800 b.c. date we suggested in 1987 (S. Po-wrski and T. Powrski 1987: 108-118). Since the publication of that volume, 14 additional radiocarbon dates from Pampa de las Llamas- Moxeke have become available (a total of 23 dates from that site) that suggest a revised date for the Initial Period occupation of Pampa de las Llamas-Moxeke, which lasted from ca. 1600-1200 b.c.

3. The assertion that a ceramic people lived contemporaneously for a time near people who used pottery is supported by the evidence from structure N, the terraced platform, which was almost completely exca- vated, yet yielded no ceramics. This contrasts with the east end of the site where abundant Initial Period ceramics and woven textiles were encountered.

24 Huayurui on the Coast OfPerulPmki a d P m k i

1985: 93; Watson 1986: 96-97), and Kotosh (Izumi and Terada 1972: 307). The prevalent interpretation of ven- tilated hearths is that they were used to burn offerings for ceremonial purposes (Burger and Salazar-Burger 1980: 28; Grieder and Bueno Mendoza 1985: 97, 107). It ap- pears likely that the HuaynunA example served a similar function and represents contact with, or may have been part of, what has been defined as the Kotosh Religious Tradition of the highlands (Burger 1985: 277; Burger and Salazar-Burger 1980: 27-32, 1985: 134, 186; Grieder and Bueno Mendoza 1985: 106-109). On the one hand, the relatively simple form of the Huaynuni example (the ventilated hearth and its associated enclo- sure) suggests more affinities with the examples at Hua- ricoto and the flexibility of ritual practices associated with them (Burger and Salazar-Burger 1980: 32). On the other hand, if one takes into account the larger mound on which the ventilated hearth and enclosure are situated, then the overall size is more comparable to those uncovered at Kotosh and La Galgada. Perhaps the variant seen at Huay- nuni reflects an adaptation to prevalent coastal architec- tural traditions. This postulated connection with the high- lands represents some of the stronger evidence for communication between the highlands and the coast.

It is evident that communication existed between pre- ceramic highland and coastal sites, but how intense that communication was is debatable. Evidence for such com- munication involves the purported exchange of subsis- tence and lwrury items. Some authors (Moseley 1983: 205,1985: 39-41; Pickers@ and Smith 1981: 102) have proposed an extensive economic trade network, with high- Iand tubers being exchanged for coastal fish and shellfish. Potatoes, sweet potatoes, athira, om, and uUum found at coastal sites are viewed as imports fkom the highlands to M postulated carbohydrate shortages, and occasional marine fish bones and shellfish remains at highland sites are viewed as imports fkom the coast to satisfy purported protein shortages. Part of this scenario, however, is prob- ably more a reflection of modem economic trends and certain growing limitations of high altitude areas in the highlands. Despite claims to the contrary (Hawkes 1967; Leon 1964), there is no reason to believe that potatoes, sweet potatoes, and athira, the most common of these tubers, could not have been grown in coastal river valleys, as Burger and the authors have pointed out (Burger 1985: 275; Ugent, Pozorski, and Pozorski 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984). Indeed, coastal valleys in modern times commonly witness the growing of a variety of tubers for consumption (ONERN 1972a: map 11, 1972b: map 7). It has also been suggested that salt was a trade item supplied by

coastal people to highland people in exchange for exotic goods (Burger 1985: 276). This is an interesting sugges- tion, but one that is difficult to support with available archaeological evidence. Lwnuy trade items at preceramic sites are very rare, and the few examples found that could not have been obtained or made locally do not provide strong support for an extensive trade network. It can only be hoped that W e r work will resolve this issue.

One especially intriguing aspect of Huaynuni is the presence of what appear to be two distinct religious tra- ditions. One is represented by the ventilated hearth con- fined within a small enclosure. This is most likely con- nected with the Kotosh Religious Tradition, a relatively private religious tradition that was prevalent in the high- lands during the late Preceramic Period, Initial Period, and Early Horizon (Burger and Salazar-Burger 1980: 32). With the Huaynuni example there is now evidence of its existence on the coast during Cotton Preceramic times. Did it continue on the coast into later time periods? Quite possibly it did, at least in the Casma area. Recent exca- vations at the Initial Period site of Pampa de las Llamas- Moxeke (S. Pozorski and T. Pozorski 1986: 395-396) uncovered a ventilated hearth located in a minor structure on the west side of the site. At first tentatively interpreted as a possible ceramic kiln, it is more likely a comparable ceremonial ventilated hearth derived fiom the earlier Huaynuni example andlor continued contact with the highlands. Another coastal example of a ceremonial ven- tilated hearth that may be Initial Period in date is present at the site of Montegrande in the Jequetepeque Valley several hundred kilometers north of Casma (Tellenbach 1986: 282, lamina 144: 1).

The second distinct religious tradition at Huaynuni is represented by the terraced hillside structure with a central staircase. This structure overlooks a spacious area that would have been suitable for public gatherings and cere- monies. It is easy to envision a prominent individual or small group of individuals ascending the hillside to reach the summit of the structure by way of the small three-step staircase (PIG. 4, feature C). Once on the summit, these individuals could have conducted religious ceremonies and possibly other public activities for the benefit of relatively large groups of people congregating in the flat, open area just north of the hillside structure. In other words, this hillside structure was designed for use during relatively large-scale public activities, some of which were very likely religious in nature. Public ceremonies, involving relatively large, elevated structures, as opposed to private ceremo- nies represented by ventilated hearths in small enclosures, became the predominant form of religious expression on

the coast in late preceramic and later ceramic times. Al-though present in a modest and elementary fashion at Huaynuni, this type of elevated religious structure quickly evolved into massive artificial stepped mounds at numer- ous sites, including the Moxeke mound at Pampa de las Llamas-Moxeke in the Casma area (S. Pozorski and T. Pozorski 1986: 384-385) and many Initial Period sites of the north and central coasts of Peru (Burger 1987; Fung 1969; Grieder 1975; Matsuzawa 1978; Patterson 1985; S. Pozorski 1987: 19-23; T. Pozorski 1980,1983; T. Pozorski and S. Pozorski 1987: 42-44; Ravines 1975; Ravines and Isbell 1975; Shimada 1980: 144; Watanabe 1979; Williams 1985). Defining the specific processes in- volved in the rapid development and proliferation of these mounds still remains a major challenge to archaeologists interested in the rise of early civilization in Peru.

Acknowledgments Fieldwork for this project was supported by National

Science Foundation Grant BNS-8406598. Permission to s w e y and excavate was authorized by Supreme Resolu- tion No. 73-85-ED granted by the Peruvian National Cultural institute and the Ministry of Education. Special thanks go to Brian Billrnan who rendered the field map of Huaynuni. We also greatly appreciate the efforts of Maxine Collins, Renee Johnson, and Wilder Leon, all of whom participated in much of the work at the site. The manuscript also benefited considerably fiom the com-ments of three anonymous reviewers.

Thmnar P m k i and Shelia P d t , respectively Associate Professor andhsistant Professor in the Department ofpsychol- ogy and Anthpolcm, Univmity o f Tmas-Pan A w n , have umdwed archwolo~ical research in Peru since 1970. Their interests i n d d the akvelopment of complex sochies, ethnobotany, etbmwolo~, prehistoric agricultural systems, and archwolo~icaljield mtshohlogy. Mailin. address: De- partment ofPsychology and Anthropology, University @Texas- Pan A w n , Edinburg, lX 78539.

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You have printed the following article:

Huaynuná, a Late Cotton Preceramic Site on the North Coast of PeruThomas Pozorski; Shelia PozorskiJournal of Field Archaeology, Vol. 17, No. 1. (Spring, 1990), pp. 17-26.Stable URL:

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[Bibliography]

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http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0038-4801%28195721%2913%3A1%3C54%3AESOTPC%3E2.0.CO%3B2-6

The Formative Site of Las Haldas, Peru: Architecture, Chronology, and EconomyTsugio Matsuzawa; Izumi ShimadaAmerican Antiquity, Vol. 43, No. 4. (Oct., 1978), pp. 652-673.Stable URL:

http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0002-7316%28197810%2943%3A4%3C652%3ATFSOLH%3E2.0.CO%3B2-C

Recent Excavations at Pampa de las Llamas-Moxeke, a Complex Initial Period Site in PeruShelia Pozorski; Thomas PozorskiJournal of Field Archaeology, Vol. 13, No. 4. (Winter, 1986), pp. 381-401.Stable URL:

http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0093-4690%28198624%2913%3A4%3C381%3AREAPDL%3E2.0.CO%3B2-0

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