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

在Vincas P. Steponaitis博士的指导下，John Pleasants将分析他在Los Chinos初期遗址（公元前1800 - 900年）的考古研究中收集的数据。该遗址位于秘鲁北部海岸的莫切山谷，以其保存完好的纪念性建筑而闻名，其中包括一个大约12米高的多层石堆。在莫切河谷的四个初始时期遗址中，包含纪念性建筑的洛斯奇诺斯和另外两个遗址只得到了粗略的关注。Pleasants的研究重点是了解Los Chinos的社会政治复杂性（社会不平等和政治集中化）的年表、功能和性质。方法包括：(1)人工制品的表面收集；（二）地形测量、空间数据分析、制图；(3)挖掘选定的建筑特征；(4)对回收文物的分析。详细的洛斯奇诺斯年表将澄清它是否与其他初始时期的遗址同时存在。这对于理解区域政治组织是很重要的。通过对陶瓷和放射性碳数据材料的分析，确定时间，这些材料是从主丘和主广场的前三层挖掘的房间中回收的；建筑地层学研究；并将建筑特征与其他已知年代的遗址进行比较。主丘是了解场地功能的关键，挖掘将集中在顶部三层，其中包含一个多房间的顶部结构和两个小广场，每个广场两侧都有多个房间和一个石头平台。功能的证据将来自选定的房间，楼梯和顶部结构立面的挖掘。了解该遗址的功能将增加对其在莫切河谷的地方和区域作用的当前认识。在莫切河谷的初始时期，在生存策略、人口、人口规模和社会政治复杂性方面发生了巨大的文化变化。了解洛斯奇诺斯社会政治复杂性的性质和演变将极大地有助于了解这一时期该地区的文明发展。Pleasants将使用挖掘和地形调查和绘图来收集社会政治复杂性的证据，例如操纵能见度；物理访问模式；仪式的形式；获得仪式；对劳动力的控制，以及任何重建的技术。除了这些智力上的优点，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。为今后在该遗址的研究奠定基础，为笔者以及其他研究生和本科生在上述考古方法和技术方面提供有价值的训练。考古数据、实地记录和研究结果的公众可见性将以网站、技术会议演示和出版作品的形式共享。最后，在洛斯奇诺斯遗址的研究应该促进教堂山北卡罗来纳大学、利马和特鲁希略国家文化研究所、秘鲁考古社区和洛斯奇诺斯遗址附近的当地社区之间的积极工作关系。由此产生的关于莫切河谷初期的知识可以纳入秘鲁和美国中小学和大学的教学课程

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.