Pikillacta: The Wari Empire in Cuzco

The 1989 and 1990 field seasons at the Wari provincial site of Pikillacta in the valley of Cuzco, Peru, comprised the first extensive excavation of the second-largest existing Wari architectural complex. Occupied between A.C. 600 and 900, Pikillacta was built in three successive construction phases and finally abandoned before completion of the final one. Excavations revealed well-preserved architecture in the center of the site, including such featu res as gypsum-plastered floors and walls; superimposed floo r remains collapsed on one another, demonstrating the existence of multi-storied buildings; plastered staircases; plaster-lined niches; and a variety of sub-floor offering pits. Although the interiors of the buildings were largely devoid of artifacts, excavations in the site's principal midden produced an abundance of material: large quantities of ceramic remains, including such foreign styles as Nazca and Cajamarca, as well as objects of bone, shell, metal, obsidian, and worked stone. Evidence is presented that addresses many of the long-standing questions regarding this unusual site. The data suggest a sudden but orderly abandonment of Pikillacta in the midst of the last construction phase. Entrances to many of the buildings were carefully sealed, and at least one partially constructed building was intentionally buried. There is also evidence that the central portion of the site was consumed by fire during or shortly after abandonment.

Landsat image of Peru showing Wari sites 000 1.2. The Wari-associated sites of Pikillacta and Azangaro 000 1.3. Site plan of a portion of Conchopata 000 1.4. A Viñaque-style bowl from Huari showing captured individuals 000 1.5. Site plan showing the Huaro complex 000 1.6. Site plan of portion of Cerro Baúl 000 1.7. Trail network and associated sites in the southern part of the Nazca drainage 000 1.8. Site plan for Jincamocco 000 1.9. Vessels and a feather panel from Corral Redondo 000 2.1. Google Earth image of the coast of southern Peru 000 2.2. Imported Chakipampa and Viñaque ceramics from La Real 000 2.3. Wari-influenced parts of Sonay and Alca la Antigua 000 2.4. Map of the Majes to Chuquibamba corridor 000 2.5. Aerial orthophoto and site plan of Pakaytambo 000 2.6. Map of the Vitor to Chili corridor 000 2.7. Satellite image of the Middle Horizon site of Millo 3 000 2.8. Schematic drawing of mosaic and network models 000 3.1. Sihuas Valley sites 000 3.2. Drone photograph from the pampa above Sihuas 000 3.3. Map of the Sihuas Valley showing trails 000 3.4. Examples of geoglyphs found in the Sihuas Valley 000 3.5. Location of various types of geoglyphs in the Sihuas Valley 000 3.6. Bar graph showing thematic distribution of documented petroglyphs 000 proof x • Figures 3.7. Bar graph showing thematic distribution of zoomorphic petroglyphs 000 3.8. Petroglyphs of camelids 000 3.9. Petroglyph of a mythical serpent 000 3.10. Petroglyph of a predatory zoomorph holding a trophy head 000 3.11. Bar graph showing thematic distribution of nonzoomorphic petroglyphs 000 3.12. Anthropomorphic petroglyphs 000 3.13. Petroglyph of a mummy bundle in a checkered cloth 000 3.14. A cluster of circular petroglyphs connected by lines 000 3.15. A "line-and-node" petroglyph 000 3.16. Maps showing petroglyphs 000 3.17. Statistical clusters of petroglyphs 000 3.18. Map of zoomorph and nonzoomorph distribution 000 3.19. Map of line-and-node petroglyph locations 000 3.20. Interconnected circular petroglyphs 000 4.1. Site plan showing the Middle Horizon occupation of Quilcapampa 000 4.2. Middle Horizon site plan showing components 000 4.3. Wall dividing Components I and II that runs to the edge of the plaza 000 4.4. Orientation of site walls to plaza sides 000 4.5. Orthophoto of Middle Horizon portion of site 000 4.6. Middle Horizon site plan showing identifiable public and private spaces 000 4.7. Middle Horizon site plan showing possible archaeological groups 000 4.8. Access maps for selected areas of the core and outlying area 000 4.9. Visibility graph analysis of selected core and outlying area 000 4.10. Visibility graph analysis of outlying area with low-lying walls removed 000 4.11. Orientation of the plaza to the Southern Cross 000 4.12. Orientation of the plaza to distant mountain peaks 000 4.13. Rotation of lines from plaza corners to distant mountain peaks 000 4.14. Site plan of Sector A of Beringa 000 4.15. Site plan of Cocahuischo 000 proof xii • Figures

This paper expounds on part of the results dealing with architecture and historical construction which have been obtained from the archeological works developed under the research project San Miguel de Piura: primera fundación española en el Perú. This project, which was started in 1998 by a research group from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and the Universidad de Piura, is supported by the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID) and La Matanza municipality (Piura, Perú), having also the Fundación Diálogos and the Fundación Diego de Sagredo as collaborators. In the archeological campaigns carried out to date it has been possible to unearth, identify and describe colonial earth structures (mainly adobe and rammed earth), having recognized Castilian construction technics, but also others which may indicate the continuity of local tradition or the reuse of pre-Hispanic preexisting elements.