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Archaeology

(Overall coordination by Meddens)

The approach is collaborative and multi-disciplinary, utilising a range of appropriate integrated methodologies, and the acknowledged experience and expertise of the investigators.

Survey (Coordinated by Branch)
Based upon the results of the earlier Capac Ñan survey (by the University of Ayacucho), twenty ushnus within a study area of 260 km2 have been selected for investigation. The ushnus collectively have the full range of spatial (e.g. altitude, distribution, geomorphological context), architectural (e.g. platform, stepped platform, orientation) and cultural (inside and outside Inca settlements) characteristics necessary for this project. We will survey each ushnu in greater detail than was possible during the Capac Ñan project using a DGPS (accuracy ±1cm), and standard building and geomorphological field mapping methods.

Spatial Analysis (Coordinated by Branch)
The detailed surface survey data will be analysed using Virtual GIS (ERDAS Imagine) integrated with digital topographic data purchased from the National Geographical Institute, enabling inter-visibility and viewshed analyses of the spatial relationships between ushnus and their environmental, landscape and cultural context. VGIS has the advantage over non-virtual software of improved visualisation of the spatial data for the purposes of analysis and dissemination, enabling academic and non-academic audiences to view the landscape ‘through the eyes of the Inca’. The results of the spatial analysis carried out as part of the British Academy funded pilot project, which focussed on a small number of ushnus in the Department of Ayacucho, suggested that the location of ushnus could be divided into two categories: (a) mountain tops and watersheds, and (b) inter-montane valleys. We believe that both have distinctive symbolic and practical territorial significance, with the former having a ‘regional’ viewshed overlooking vast tracts of Inca land, whilst the latter has a ‘local’ viewshed, associated with Inca agricultural land and settlements. Our project will test this hypothesis, enhancing our understanding of the relationships between the location of ushnus and the surrounding landscape and environment.        

Excavation and Artefact Analysis (Coordinated by Meddens and Vivanco Pomacanchari)
Using the survey and spatial data, six ushnus will be excavated (ca. 25% of each ushnu) employing standard archaeological excavation and recording methods. The purpose will be to record variations in the pedosedimentary fill within ushnus, including alternating layers of topsoil and subsoil, and features such as drainage channels. We will identify artefacts recovered, record their typology and analyse their functions by comparison with museum collections. The survey and excavation will include formal training for Peruvian students, permitting discussion and development of new theory and practice in Andean archaeology, in particular our integrated archaeological approach to field recording.

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The May 2007 fieldwork season involved excavation and sampling of five Ushnus

Incapirqa (1)

UTM co-ordinates (599921 – 8522722), altitude 4317m asl
Maximum size lowest tier: length 32.7 m, width 18.5 m.
Maximum height: 2.55 m.
Tiers: 3
Stonework: modified fieldstone
Stone type: grey andesite
Staircase: none
Orientation along long axis: 73°
Number of contexts excavated: 13
Samples taken (Kubiena & bulk): 43
Section drawings: 2
Differential GPS survey: Y
Number of soil pits tested: 2

An ancient Inca road passes to the southeast of the site to Vilcashuaman according to local informants. Numerous ancient corrals are visible in the surrounding landscape. The thin section obtained from a Kubiena tin taken during the 2003 fieldwork season indicated that the main fill of this platform did not originate in the immediate vicinity of this platform. The excavations of the 2007 field-season expanded the 2003 test trench in order to expose the full depth of the Ushnu fills down to the level of bedrock. The extended trench measured circa 3.5 by 2.5 m and reached a depth of around 2.3 m. The fills comprised sandy and silty loams and loamy sands. It comprised layers of topsoil, subsoil and crushed bedrock material. No finds or cultural material of any kind was associated with these deposits.

Ushnupata

UTM co-ordinates (581415 – 8518572), altitude 3663m asl
Maximum size: length 16.05 m, width 12.8 m.
Maximum height: 0.73 m.
Tiers: 1
Stonework: polygonal ashlar
Stone type: grey andesite
Staircase: yes, single step
Orientation staircase: Southwest
Orientation along long axis: 42°
Number of contexts excavated: 14
Samples taken (Kubiena & bulk): 42
Section drawings: 1
Differential GPS survey: Y
Number of soil pits tested: 3

Preliminary fieldwork completed in 2003 showed that the fill of the Ushnupata platform comprised layers of top and subsoil laid down horizontally across the entire width of the platform. The field season of May 2007 comprised a detailed differential GPS survey of the site, the excavation of a series of soil testing pits at selected points across the contemporary agricultural landscape to assist in sourcing the fills of the platform, and the re-excavation of the 2003 test pit on the Southwestern side of the Ushnu immediately behind the single step mounting the platform. The dimensions of this excavation trench remained the same as before (2 x 2 m) but the pit was excavated to a greater depth (1.93 m) to ensure that it cut into the underlying natural dark brown clay. The sequence of Ushnu platform fill deposits comprised clay loams and silty clay loam topsoil and subsoil deposits.

Incapirqa (2)

UTM co-ordinates (600113 – 8557992), altitude 4214m asl
Maximum size lowest tier: length 24.7  m, width 13.2 m.
Maximum height: 3.85 m.
Tiers: 3-4
Stonework: modified fieldstone
Stone type: mostly grey and pink andesite
Staircase: one, multiple steps
Orientation staircase: Southeast
Orientation along long axis: 43°
Number of contexts excavated: 38
Samples taken (kubiena & bulk): 65
Section drawings: 1
Differential GPS survey: Y
Number of soil pits tested: 1

To the south of the Ushnu pass two Inca roads, which join at an apacheta (a location where travellers leave offerings frequently stones which are added to a mound) at the highest point of the pass to the northwest, where the roads continue along a single path. One feeds into the local road network whereas the other appears to be linked into the interregional network. Ancient corrals are visible in the surround landscape and two small ancient Chanka type settlements are present to the Northwest and southeast of the site. Some 900 m to the northwest is another Inca structure, comprising a rectangular wall (9.4 by 19.7 m) made of large sized polygonal ashlar blocks. The walls of the Ushnu structure predominantly have moderately modified fieldstones of grey and pink andesite. The likely sources for this material are located to the east for the grey andesite and to the northwest for the pink andesite. The excavation unit was positioned at the apex of a hole excavated for looting purposes. The test pit was located approximately centrally in the Ushnu, measured 2 x 2 m and reached ca 2 m below the level of the turf. A complex sequence of dumped layers comprising reddish silty and sandy loams with lenses and clay inclusions was observed. The outcropping bedrock is andesitic basalt, which has been found in addition to pink andesite at the bottom of the excavation.

Condormarca

UTM co-ordinates (590336 – 8561154), altitude 3262m asl
Maximum size: length 14.6 m, width 11.3 m.
Maximum height: 1.2 m.
Tiers: 1-2
Stonework: modified fieldstone
Stone type: ?
Staircase: none
Orientation along long axis: 41°
Number of contexts excavated: 14
Samples taken (Kubiena & bulk): 24
Section drawings: 6
Plan: 1
Differential GPS survey: Y
Number of soil pits tested: 1

Condormarca is located on the southern margin of Huamanguilla. The site was colonised by the current population ca. 10 years ago. Stones of the ancient buildings and Ushnu have been extensively looted and re-used in the modern settlements. Remains of an Inca bath complex including 5 large carved rocks, among which the remains of a Pacha, are located north of the Ushnu. A damaged rock shaped like a condor wing and neck, from which the site derives its name, is located on the southern margin of the site. Ancient agricultural terracing and evidence for pre-Hispanic land divisions are present along the southern edge of the site. The Ushnu is approximately centrally located in the site. The roughly rectangular structure has evidence of two tiers along its northern margin, whereas the other 3 edges appear to have been single tiered. The large rock at its core is modified in places by carving. Two excavation units were excavated here, both measuring 2 x 2 m and located on the insides of the northeast and southeast corners of the Ushnu platform. The internal make-up layers of the platform comprise heavily compacted stony clayey deposits as well as basal deposits largely composed of large boulders.

Altarniyoc

UTM co-ordinates (574951 – 8508758), altitude 4297m asl
Maximum size 2nd tier (lowest tier too damaged for accurate measurement): length 23.55 m, width 9.05 m.
Maximum height: 1.5 m.
Tiers: 3
Stonework: modified fieldstone
Stone type: grey andesite
Staircase: one, 5 steps
Orientation staircase: Southeast
Orientation along long axis: 48°
Number of contexts excavated: 6
Samples taken (Kubiena & bulk): 18
Section drawings: 4
Plan drawings: 1
Differential GPS survey: Y
Number of soil pits tested: 1

The Ushnu platform is surrounded by gently sloping terrain falling away from the Ushnu, with an ancient road passing by to the southeast of the structure. A single excavation unit measuring 2 x 2m was excavated with the Southeast section line being on the centerline of the Ushnu. A wall runs on the centre line lengthwise along the main axis of the Ushnu. The excavation unit exposed a southeast – northwest orientated wall, which runs across the width of the Ushnu from the wall on the centre line to the external wall of the top platform. This wall abuts both external and centre walls. On either side of the wall, the fills were distinct. On the northeast side was a organic silty clay loam fill. On the southwest side were two layers of small to medium sub-angular stones and rubble intermingled with circa 40% clay loam.