Doctoral Dissertation Research: Los Chinos: Architecture, Power, and Meaning at an Initial Period Site in the Moche Valley, Peru

在Vincas P.Steponaitis博士的监督下，John Pleasants将分析在他对Los chinos(公元前1800-900年)早期遗址进行考古研究期间收集的数据。该遗址位于秘鲁北海岸的莫什山谷，以保存完好的纪念性建筑而闻名，其中包括一个约12米高的多层石丘。在莫奇山谷的四个早期遗址中，洛斯奇诺斯和其他两个遗址只得到了粗略的关注。Pleasants研究的重点是了解洛斯奇诺斯的社会政治复杂性(社会不平等和政治集权)的年表、功能和性质。该方法包括：(1)文物的表面收集；(2)地形测量、空间数据分析和绘图；(3)挖掘选定的建筑特征；(4)分析回收的文物。洛斯奇诺斯的详细年表将澄清它是否与其他早期遗址同时存在。这对于理解区域政治组织是很重要的。年表将通过分析从主丘和主广场顶部三层的房间挖掘中发现的陶瓷和放射性碳材料，检查建筑地层，以及将建筑特征与其他具有已知年代学的遗址进行比较来建立。主丘是了解遗址功能的关键，挖掘将集中在顶部三层，其中包括一个多房间的顶层结构和两个小广场，每个广场两侧都有多个房间和一个石头平台。功能的证据将来自对选定的房间、楼梯和顶层结构正面的挖掘。了解这一遗址的功能将增加对其在莫切山谷中当地和地区角色的当前知识。在莫切山谷的最初时期，在生存战略、人口结构、人口规模和社会政治复杂性方面发生了戏剧性的文化变化。了解洛斯奇诺斯社会政治复杂性的性质和演变，将有助于了解这一时期该地区的文明发展。Pleasants将使用挖掘和地形测量和绘图来收集社会政治复杂性的证据，如能见度的操纵；物理访问模式；仪式的形式；获得仪式的途径；劳动力的控制，以及任何重建的技术。除了这些学术价值外，这项研究还可以通过纳入安第斯考古学和国家形成等课程来促进教学、培训和学习。同时，也为今后在该遗址的研究奠定了基础，并可为作者以及其他研究生和本科生提供上述考古方法和技术方面的宝贵培训。考古数据、实地笔记和这项研究成果的公开可见性将以网站、在技术会议上的陈述和出版作品的形式共享。最后，洛斯奇诺斯遗址的研究应该促进北卡罗来纳大学教堂山分校、利马国家文化研究所和特鲁希略、秘鲁考古界以及洛斯奇诺斯遗址附近的当地社区之间的积极工作关系。由此产生的关于莫奇山谷初始时期的知识可以被纳入秘鲁和美国的学校和大学的教学课程。

Under the supervision of Dr. Vincas P. Steponaitis, John Pleasants will analyze data gathered during his archaeological study of the Initial Period site of Los Chinos (1800 - 900 B.C.). This site is located in the Moche Valley on the Peruvian north coast, and is notable for its well preserved monumental architecture, which includes a multi-level stone mound approximately 12 meters high. Of the four Initial Period sites containing monumental architecture in the Moche Valley, Los Chinos and two others have received only cursory attention. Pleasants research focuses on understanding the chronology, function, and nature of socio-political complexity (social inequality and political centralization) at Los Chinos. The methodology includes: (1) Surface collection of artifacts; (2) topographic survey, analysis of spatial data, and mapping; (3) excavation of selected architectural features; and (4) analysis of recovered artifacts. A detailed chronology for Los Chinos will clarify whether it existed contemporarily with the other Initial Period sites. This is important for understanding the regional political organization. Chronology will be established through analysis of ceramics and radiocarbon datable material recovered from room excavations on the top three levels of the main mound and the main plaza; examination of architectural stratigraphy; and comparison of architectural characteristics to other sites with known chronologies. The main mound is the key to understanding site function, and excavations will focus on the top three levels which contain a multi-room summit structure and two small plazas each flanked by multiple rooms and a stone platform. Evidence of function will come from excavations of selected rooms, stairways, and the summit structure facade. Understanding the function of this site will increase current knowledge about its local and regional role in the Moche Valley.During the Initial Period in the Moche Valley dramatic cultural changes occurred in subsistence strategies, demography, population size, and socio-political complexity. Understanding the nature and evolution of socio-political complexity at Los Chinos will contribute greatly to the knowledge about the development of civilization in this region during this Period. Pleasants will use excavation and topographic survey and mapping to gather evidence of socio-political complexity such as manipulation of visibility; physical access patterns; the form of rituals; access to ritual; the control of labor, and the techniques of any rebuilding. Beyond these intellectual merits, this research can be used to promote teaching, training, and learning through incorporation into courses such as Andean Archaeology and State Formation. Also, it will lay the foundation for future research at this site, and can provide valuable training in the above archaeological methods and technology for the author as well as other graduate and undergraduate students. Public visibility of archaeological data, field notes, and results of this research will be shared in the form of web sites, presentations at technical conferences, and published works. Finally, the research at the Los Chinos site should promote a positive working relationship between the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Instituto Nacional de Cultura in Lima and Trujillo, the Peruvian archaeological community, and the local community near the Los Chinos site. The resulting knowledge about the Initial Period in the Moche Valley could be incorporated into the teaching curriculums of schools and universities in Peru and the U.S.