Abstract
This article describes and analyzes a highly significant archaeological context discovered in a late Paracas (400–200 BCE) sunken patio in the monumental platform mound of Cerro Gentil, located in the Chincha Valley, Peru. This patio area was used for several centuries for ritual activities, including large-scale feasting and other public gatherings. At one point late in this historical sequence people deposited a great deal of objects in what is demonstrably a single historical event. This was quickly followed by a series of minor events stratigraphically immediately above this larger event. This entire ritual process included the consumption of liquids and food, and involved the offering of whole pottery, pottery fragments, botanical remains, bone, lithics, baskets, pyro-engraved gourds, mummies, and other objects. We interpret these events as an “abandonment ceremony” or “termination ritual” during the late Paracas period, one that may have lasted for weeks or even months. The subsequent Topará occupation at the site (ca. 200 BCE- AD 100) involved the architectural enhancement of the mound area, but the pattern of use of the patio itself ended. Such a termination ritual signals a reorganization in the regional political structure of Paracas society.
Highlights
Earlier research established the fact that Paracas materials were distributed between the valleys of Cañete and Nazca in the rich valleys along the Peruvian coast (Fig 2)
Many of the elements described in Cerro del Gentil have been found in these other sites. We argue that this last feast preserved in Stratum E was a case of a “Termination Ritual” [44, 45]
The features described for Cerro del Gentil represents the initiation of the decommissioning process of the sunken patio space for an alternative and final social use at the site
Summary
Cerro del Gentil is located on the south east side of the valley (Fig 3). The mound is relatively small compared to other large monumental platform mounds in the lower valley such as Huaca Soto, Huaca Santa Rosa or Huaca Partida. The patio that we excavated on Cerro del Gentil had a number of discrete periods of construction, use, reconstruction and burial [21] (Figs 6 and 7). It represents a new use of the space marked principally by the intentional distortion of the original square sunken court (Figs 9 and 11A) This phase was used briefly, possibly related to the preparation of the space for its ritualized abandonment. This now-abandoned and covered patio we find about one meter of deposition in which we defined at least 8 distinct events (Strata C and B) (Fig 10) These last two levels were a rich mix of soil and artifacts, including many diagnostic Paracas ones. We do not know if this deposition (Strata C and B) occurred rapidly in a single, large event or if this filling took place over many separate ones
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
