Analysis of Pre-Columbian objetcs from Cupisnique, one of the oldest culture from Perú, using a portable X-ray fluorescence equipment

Abstract

Cupisnique (2000–200 BC) is one of the first complex societies that developed in the Jetequepeque valley in the “Formative period.” It includes several settlements: Puemape on the coast, Limoncarro in middle valley, Montegrande and Tembladera in the upper valley, and Kuntur Wasi in San Pablo. Currently the valley comprises two provinces, Pacasmayo and Chepen in the La Libertad region, north of Lima. Consideration should be given to cupisniques as premetallurgical culture, and the only used metal was gold, which is present in the native state, on the soil surface or shallow, and attracted attention because of color, brightness, weight, ductility, and inalterability. We analyzed three Cupisnique metal objects belonging to the Larco Museum of Lima designated with No. 4 (pectoral), No. 7 (pendant), and No. 12 (bracelet), using a portable energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence equipment. Mean value for the pectoral were Au (62 %), Ag (23 %), Cu (15 %); for the pendant, Au (81 %), Ag (16.5 %), Cu (2.5 %); and for the bracelet, Au (69.1 %), Ag (20 %), and Cu (10.9 %).