Huamachuco

Huari in the Local Context

The role of Huari in the local Huamachuco context can be evaluated by examining where Huari influence occurs in Huamachuco, and how that influence affected the sequence of local development.

There is little Huari influence at Marca Huamachuco, and what influence there is architectural rather than ceramic. A few Huari construction techniques were adopted, specifically a method of building lintels and the incorporation of organic material into wall heartings. The fact that these two techniques co-occur in only one building suggests that they were adopted sequentially, with the lintel technique adopted first but quickly rejected. The use of organic materials in walls was adopted slightly later, and its use persisted beyond the period of direct Huari influence. One implication of these architectural cross ties is that monumental buildings were probably constructed at Marca Huamachuco in the local style at the same time that Viracochapampa was being built. In addition, monumentaI buildings were certainly being constructed at Marca Huamachuco soon after construction had been terminated at Viracochapampa.

Another aspect of Huari architectural influence at Marca Huamachuco is the possible construction of a mausoleum of Huari-style masonry. This mausoleum implies the presence of a high-ranking individual or group in the area. That they were allowed to build a mausoleum at Marca Huamachuco indicates that they were in a favored position. The mausoleum, however, is located in a rather isolated part of the site near the largely abandoned Cerro Viejo sector and more than a kilometer from the Cerro del Castillo sector. This location does not suggest dominance by a foreign presence.

Huari ceramics occur at very few sites. The small ceramic assemblage from Viracochapampa seems intrusive but includes no recognizable Huari decoration or shapes. The limited refuse found can be accounted for by hypothesizing the presence of a few Huari engineers or architects. The Huari also seem to have used Cerro Sazon, a preexisting site on the road to Viracochapampa. Although there is only a minor Huari ceramic presence there, the site may have served as the main staging area for the construction of Viracochapampa and La Cuchilla. It is unclear, however, whether the workers were housed and fed by the Huari or by the Marca Huamachuco elites. Thatcher (1972: 187) reported three Huari sherds from a site about 7 km east of Viracochapampa, but he did not describe or illustrate them.

The ceramic assemblage from Cerro Amaru displays the heaviest Huari influence. At this site, Chakipampa B elements occur on vessels with both local and imported pastes, and these co-occur with other exotic ceramics as well as with local wares. Because of the ceremonial importance of the site, the Huari (and other foreign) presence might be accounted for by pilgrimage or delegations and offerings to the shrine. The fact that Huari constructed storerooms at a local shrine suggests an act of respect rather than domination. The storerooms, however, imply that Huari had access to local lands for agricultural production. The most likely location for these lands is on the northwest slope of Marca Huamachuco, where maize can be easily grown. Alfredo Melly, who has surveyed this area, informs me that there are remnants of terraces and possibly a small Huari enclosure.

The effect that the Huari presence had on local development can be stated concisely. Huari presence postdates a period of massive growth and expanding power at Marca Huamachuco, as well as an increasing level of interaction between the Huamachuco area in general and neighboring regions. The Huari presence itself was brief and apparently involved only a small number of people. During that presence some Huamachuco labor was involved in building Viracochapampa and other constructions in Huari masonry style, while at least some Huamachuco labor continued to be used to construct monumental buildings at Marca Huamachuco in the local style. Trade with Huari as well as with other widely scattered centers probably also reached its peak. Following the Huari presence, there appears to be a decline in the importance of Cerro Sazon and Cerro Amaru. Trade continued, but at a decreased level. Marca Huamachuco, however, continued to command labor for monumental constructions, and some of the largest buildings postdate the Huari presence.

Retornar Avanzar