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Going Vertical

Using Vertical Progression Techniques to Explore a Cliff Necropolis in Late Precolumbian Chachapoyas, Peru

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2018

J. Marla Toyne ,
Armando Anzellini ,
Lori Epstein Mičulka ,
Ismael Mejías Pitti ,
Jordi Puig Castell  and
Salvador Guinot Castelló
J. Marla Toyne*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Howard Phillips Hall room 309, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
Armando Anzellini
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Tennessee, 502 Strong Hall, 1621 Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA (aanzelli@vols.utk.edu)
Lori Epstein Mičulka
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Howard Phillips Hall room 309, Orlando, FL 32816, USA (lori_miculka@nps.gov)
Ismael Mejías Pitti
Affiliation:
Asociación Ukhupacha, Universitat Jaume I, Av. de Vicente Sos Baynat s/n, 12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain (ismaelmejiaspitti@gmail.com)
Jordi Puig Castell
Affiliation:
Asociación Ukhupacha, Universitat Jaume I, Av. de Vicente Sos Baynat s/n, 12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain (ismaelmejiaspitti@gmail.com)
Salvador Guinot Castelló
Affiliation:
Asociación Ukhupacha, Universitat Jaume I, Av. de Vicente Sos Baynat s/n, 12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain (ismaelmejiaspitti@gmail.com)
*
(j.marla.toyne@ucf.edu, corresponding author)
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Abstract

Most archaeological practice involves horizontal excavations of ancient occupations and cemeteries, but the Chachapoya of Peru's eastern montane built tombs along narrow cliff ledges, which require innovative methods of investigation. Many of these sites are becoming exposed and threatened due to increased deforestation. The La Petaca mortuary complex includes 125 constructed platforms, modified ledges, mausoleums, and caves containing human remains across one section of an exposed rock face approximately 200 m across by approximately 80 m high. While the site has been looted and damaged due to various taphonomic processes (including ecological, geological, and cultural), we argue that there are recoverable details, especially in relation to how the ancient Chachapoya people created and accessed these vertical spaces. Through collaboration with technical professionals, we identified and documented many tombs using vertical progression techniques. This valuable partnership between spelunkers and archaeologists allowed us to develop techniques for “vertical archaeology,” including safe access in order to be able to document, sample, and make detailed observations of building methods and burial contents.

La mayoría de los cementerios antiguos se encuentran en emplazamientos sin dificultad de acceso, donde se excavaron tumbas para depositar los restos mortuorios. Sin embargo, los Chachapoyas de la región serrana oriental del Perú construyeron sus tumbas en acantilados escarpados de muy difícil acceso. Muchos de estos sitios están expuestos y en peligro a causa de la creciente deforestación. En el complejo mortuorio de La Petaca encontramos 125 mausoleos y cuevas con restos humanos, conectados entre sí por medio de plataformas construidas en madera y salientes rocosos modificados. La Petaca ocupa un área de más de 200 metros de longitud por 80 metros de altura de la sección de un acantilado muy expuesto de roca caliza. A pesar de que el sitio arqueológico ha sido saqueado y dañado debido a diversos procesos tafonómicos (incluyendo procesos ecológicos, geológicos y culturales), sostenemos que hay datos recuperables utilizando técnicas especializadas. A través de la colaboración con técnicos de acceso y posicionamiento con cuerdas, hemos podido acceder e identificar muchas de las construcciones. Esta valiosa alianza entre arqueólogos y técnicos de acceso por cuerdas ha permitido desarrollar la especialidad de una arqueología en espacios verticales. Esta comprende, entre otras cosas, temas relacionados con la elección de anclajes que causan un mínimo impacto en estos emplazamientos tan sensibles y el acceso y posicionamiento seguro para que los técnicos e investigadores puedan llevar a cabo sus trabajos de mapeo, tomar muestras y realizar observaciones detalladas tanto de las técnicas arquitectónicas como de los contenidos de las tumbas.

Type
Articles
Information
Advances in Archaeological Practice , Volume 6 , Issue 4 , November 2018 , pp. 298 - 311
Copyright
Copyright 2018 © Society for American Archaeology 

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