The excavation of residential areas has become a growing focus of research in Andean archaeology. Studies have revealed that interpreting household remains from some prehispanic societies can be a complex endeavor, as the nature of abandonment rituals may involve burnt offerings, the placement of valuables on floors, or the purposeful destruction of ceramic vessels distributed in patterned ways. The goods that constitute these offering practices can often be easily confused with post-occupation refuse, especially when excavation units are relatively small.
In this article, we will discuss the importance of assessing site formation processes in residential spaces and illustrate how different modes of household abandonment can make comparative analysis a complex exercise. We will describe and compare several examples from Wari-affiliated residences at the sites of Cerro Baúl and Cerro Mejía, located in the department of Moquegua, Peru, to show how ritual depositions corresponding to house abandonment might affect the interpretation of daily domestic life. In particular, we will examine how ritual assemblages have been interpreted as evidence of feasting to support propositions regarding the Wari political economy. Finally, we will advocate that archaeologists interested in domestic areas, lifeways, and the political economy engage in large-scale horizontal excavations to ensure they can correctly distinguish between the remains of quotidian practices, the goods associated with ritual depositions, and refuse resulting from feasting, which is best substantiated with features and facilities to host empowering events.
Wari Culture and Archaeology
Overview of Wari Civilization
The Wari culture was a complex and influential civilization that flourished in the Andes of Peru between approximately 600 and 1000 CE. Originating in the Ayacucho Basin, the Wari expanded to establish a vast territorial empire that stretched across much of the central and southern Andes, including the regions of Cusco, Arequipa, and Moquegua. As one of the first true states in the Andes, the Wari are known for their impressive architectural achievements, sophisticated administrative systems, and widespread economic and cultural influence.
Significance of Household Deposits
Household archaeology has become increasingly important in the study of the Wari empire, as the excavation and analysis of domestic spaces and their associated material remains can provide valuable insights into the daily lives, social organization, and economic activities of the Wari people. Household deposits, in particular, offer a wealth of information about the patterns of consumption, production, and ritual practices that characterized Wari domestic life.
Challenges in Interpreting Household Remains
However, interpreting Wari household remains can be a complex and nuanced undertaking. As mentioned earlier, the nature of Wari abandonment rituals, which often involved the deliberate placement or destruction of items, can make it difficult to distinguish between refuse and ritual deposits. This complexity has important implications for our understanding of Wari domestic lifeways and the broader political, economic, and social structures of the empire.
Refuse or Ritual? Examining Household Deposits
Identifying Patterns in Household Deposits
When examining Wari household deposits, archaeologists often encounter a mix of materials that can include ceramic vessels, lithic tools, faunal remains, and various other artifacts. The patterning and distribution of these items within the domestic contexts can provide important clues about their formation processes and the activities that took place within the household.
Distinguishing Refuse from Ritual Contexts
One of the key challenges in interpreting Wari household deposits is differentiating between refuse resulting from everyday domestic activities and ritual depositions associated with abandonment or other ceremonial practices. Refuse deposits are typically characterized by a more haphazard distribution of materials, while ritual deposits often exhibit more organized and patterned arrangements, such as the placement of complete ceramic vessels or the intentional destruction of items.
Interpreting the Role of Household Deposits
The interpretation of Wari household deposits has important implications for our understanding of the empire’s political economy. For example, the presence of elaborate ceramic vessels or the remains of feasting activities within domestic contexts has been used to argue for the existence of a redistributive system, in which the Wari state maintained control over the production and consumption of certain goods. However, as we will discuss, the distinction between ritual and refuse deposits is crucial in evaluating these claims.
Spatial Analysis of Wari Household Deposits
Spatial Distribution of Household Remains
The spatial distribution of materials within Wari domestic contexts can provide valuable insights into the organization and use of household space. By carefully mapping the locations and associations of different artifact types, archaeologists can gain a better understanding of the activities and practices that took place within the household.
Relationship Between Household Layout and Deposits
The layout and architectural features of Wari domestic structures can also shed light on the relationship between household space and the distribution of material remains. For example, the placement of hearths, storage areas, and other specialized activity areas may be reflected in the patterning of artifacts within the household.
Implications for Wari Domestic Space and Activities
Analyzing the spatial distribution of Wari household deposits can help reconstruct the ways in which domestic space was organized and used, as well as the types of activities and practices that characterized Wari domestic life. This, in turn, can provide valuable insights into the social, economic, and ritual dimensions of Wari household organization.
Artifact Analysis and Household Assemblages
Typology and Categorization of Household Items
The analysis of the specific artifacts found within Wari household deposits can also contribute to our understanding of domestic lifeways. By developing robust typologies and categorizing the materials according to their function, archaeologists can gain insights into the range of activities and behaviors that were taking place within the household.
Insights from Ceramic, Lithic, and Organic Remains
Ceramic vessels, lithic tools, and organic remains, such as faunal and botanical materials, can all provide valuable information about Wari domestic activities. For example, the types of ceramic vessels present may indicate the range of culinary and storage practices, while lithic tools can shed light on craft production and other subsistence-related tasks.
Reconstructing Household Activities and Behaviors
By integrating the analysis of artifact assemblages with the spatial distribution of materials, archaeologists can begin to reconstruct the specific activities and behaviors that characterized Wari domestic life. This can include the production and consumption of food, the manufacture of crafts and tools, and the performance of ritual practices within the household.
Contextualizing Wari Household Deposits
Comparisons to Other Andean Household Archaeology
To better understand the significance of Wari household deposits, it is important to situate them within the broader context of Andean household archaeology. Comparisons to domestic remains from other prehispanic societies in the region can help identify both shared and unique patterns in the organization and use of household space, as well as the types of activities and practices that took place within these domestic contexts.
Ritual Practices and Domestic Life in the Wari Empire
The complex nature of Wari household deposits, with their potential mixture of ritual and refuse materials, highlights the importance of considering the role of ritual practices in the domestic sphere of the Wari empire. By acknowledging the ways in which ritual and everyday activities were intertwined within Wari households, we can gain a more nuanced understanding of the social, economic, and cultural dynamics that shaped domestic life in the Wari world.
Broader Implications for Understanding Wari Society
A careful examination of Wari household deposits, and the ways in which they reflect the intersection of ritual, domestic, and political-economic practices, can have far-reaching implications for our understanding of the Wari empire as a whole. This includes insights into the organization of Wari society, the distribution of power and resources, and the cultural values and beliefs that underpinned Wari domestic and political life.
Methodological Approaches and Challenges
Advances in Excavation and Sampling Techniques
As the field of Andean archaeology has progressed, archaeologists have developed more sophisticated excavation and sampling techniques to better capture the complexity of household remains. This includes the use of larger-scale horizontal excavations, the application of geoarchaeological methods, and the integration of various analytical techniques to study the composition and distribution of materials within domestic contexts.
Integrating Multiple Lines of Evidence
To navigate the challenges of interpreting Wari household deposits, archaeologists have increasingly turned to an integrative approach that combines multiple lines of evidence, including spatial analysis, artifact studies, and the consideration of site formation processes. By drawing on a range of complementary data sources, researchers can develop more nuanced and holistic understandings of the activities and practices that characterized Wari domestic life.
Limitations and Future Research Directions
Despite these advances, the interpretation of Wari household deposits remains a complex and ongoing area of research. Limitations in the available data, the potential for bias in excavation and sampling methods, and the inherent challenges in distinguishing between ritual and refuse deposits continue to pose challenges for archaeologists working to reconstruct the domestic lifeways of the Wari empire. As such, future research will likely focus on developing new methodological approaches and refining our conceptual frameworks for understanding the role of household deposits in Wari society.
Conclusion: Towards a Holistic Understanding of Wari Household Deposits
The excavation and analysis of Wari household deposits have proven to be a rich and complex area of archaeological research, providing valuable insights into the daily lives, social organization, and political-economic structures of the Wari empire. By carefully examining the patterning and composition of these domestic remains, archaeologists have begun to unravel the ways in which ritual practices, everyday activities, and the broader political and economic dynamics of the Wari world were intertwined within the household.
As we continue to explore the complexity of Wari household deposits, it is clear that a nuanced and integrative approach, one that considers the multiple formation processes and the interplay between ritual and domestic spheres, is essential for developing a more holistic understanding of Wari society. Through ongoing research and the application of innovative methodological tools, archaeologists working in the Andes can continue to shed light on the rich and diverse domestic lifeways that characterized this influential prehispanic civilization.
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