Social Science Research Council

"Ethnic Groups and Colonies: Investigation of Prehistoric Coastal-Highland Interaction at Las Varas, Jequetepeque Valley, Peru."

This project examines the interaction between ethnic groups and the process of identity construction. Specifically, I will investigate the interaction between two prehispanic ethnic groups in the Andes: the coastal Chimú Empire (A.D. 1100-1470) and the highland Cajamarca polity.

According to ethnohistorical sources, the Chimú Empire and the Kingdom of Cajamarca became allies in A.D. 1460 to resist an invasion by the Inca Empire. The relationship between the Chimú Empire and the Cajamarca polity prior to the Inca conquest is unclear. Some scholars believe that the Cajamarca polity established trade colonies near the coast, although archaeological research has yet not demonstrated the existence of these colonies.

The results of a survey I conducted in July 2005 indicate that the site of Las Varas might be a highland colony situated between the Chimú Empire and the Cajamarca polity in the middle Jequetepeque Valley, Peru. Las Varas is a unique site since it has the largest quantity of highland ceramics and tombs in the survey area. I will lead an archaeological project at Las Varas to determine whether the site was settled by (1) people from the highlands, or (2) people native to the mid-valley but who were using highland items. In addition, my research seeks to demonstrate how people at Las Varas maintained or modified their ethnic identity through household items and burial practices. By revealing processes of ethnic affiliation at Las Varas, this study contributes to studies of the prehistoric Andes, ethnic group interaction, and the construction of ethnic identities.