Dissertation Research: The Tumilaca Drainage in the Late Intermediate Period: Agricultural Growth and Decline in a Small-Scale Andean Polity

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Under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Parsons, Mr. Marco Ribeiro will conduct archaeological field research to collect data for his doctoral dissertation. Working in the Tumilaca drainage, a tributary of the Osmore River in Southern Peru, he will conduct excavations at four prehistoric sites which date to the Late Intermediate Period (ca. 1100 to 1480 AD). The goal of his project is to understand changes in agricultural production in this prehistoric community over an extended period of time and to examine the interaction between climate, long distance trade, and social organization with this localized region. Archaeological evidence indicates that over time agricultural production first intensified but that later terraces are abandoned. Mr. Ribeiro hypothesizes that inter-regional exchange induced surplus production while succeeding conditions of chronic drought led to terrace abandonment. His field program directly addresses the first of these issues, and excavation of a series of habitation units in four settlements will provide data on both intensification of food production and the degree of regional exchange. This project is important for several reasons. Not only will it increase our understanding of the rise and decline of complex societies in Peru, but it should also provide information of direct agricultural use. At one time many areas which today are abandoned were employed in agricultural production. The Tumilaca terraces fall into this category, and if one can understand why they were abandoned it should be possible to determine whether they might play a future productive role. This project will also assist in the training of a promising young scientist.