Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Ams Radiocarbon Dates From Prehispanic Fortifications In The Huaura Valley, Central Coast Of Peru, Margaret Brown Vega, Nathan Craig, Brendan Culleton, Douglas Kennett, Gerbert Asencios Lindo

Margaret Brown Vega

In this paper, we report 11 AMS radiocarbon dates from 8 Prehispanic fortifications located in the Huaura Valley, central coast of Perú. Small fragments of organic material embedded in preserved mud mortar in architecture, and samples from construction layers exposed by looter’s holes were used to date architectural features without undertaking extensive excavations. These dates contribute toward refining the chronology of fort building in the valley, and provide a test for assumptions about temporal change and architectural style. The results indicate that fortifications date to at least 3 periods. These data provide a starting point for exploring the occurrence of …

The Archaeology Of Judaism, Samuel D. Gruber Dr.

Samuel D. Gruber Dr.

An introduction to the archaeology of Jewish historic sites in Europe, especially from the Middle Ages. The essay discusses the origin of the field of study and some of the pertinent historical, archaeological, ethical and interpretive developments and issues that have arisen since the 19th century.

Cultural Rights: The Possible Impact Of Private Military And Security Companies, Ana Filipa Vrdoljak

Ana Filipa Vrdoljak

Culture and its protection has been present in the earliest codifications of the laws of war and international humanitarian law, both in its physical manifestations as cultural heritage and its practice and enjoyment as cultural rights. However, the engagement of PMSCs in recent conflicts has again raised the vexed issue of the role of ‘culture’ and heritage professionals in armed conflicts and belligerent occupation. This debate has in turn exposed the limitations of existing IHL and human rights instruments.

To complement the PRIV-WAR project’s current and projected work, this report is divided into four parts. First, there is an examination …

Prehispanic Warfare During The Early Horizon And Late Intermediate Period In The Huaura Valley, Peru, Margaret Brown Vega

Margaret Brown Vega

Discussions of prehispanic warfare entail treatment of the relationship between ritual and war, and inform on interpretations of indigenous fortifications. Ten radiocarbon dates from recent excavations at the fortress of Acaray in the Huaura Valley, Perú, confirm the site was used during two periods: the Early Horizon (ca. 900-200 BC) and the Late Intermediate Period (ca. AD 1000-1470). These two periods are characterized by the construction of fortifications in neighboring valleys on the north coast and in the central highlands. The 23-ha site of Acaray is one of the largest fortified sites known in the near-north-coast area, and it holds …

The Ethical Trade In Cultural Property: Ethics And Law In The Antiquity Auction Industry, Kimberly L. Alderman

Kimberly L. Alderman

This article considers from an ethical perspective the role that auction houses play as facilitators of the illicit antiquity trade. It reviews the laws that regulate the antiquity auction industry and explains why they fail to prevent the trade in illegally excavated and exported cultural property. The article argues that auction houses should develop policies focused on ethics instead of regulatory compliance, explains why this would better further cultural preservation interests and protect creator cultures, and looks at potential business benefits of an ethical model.

War And Social Life In Prehispanic Peru: Ritual, Defense, And Communities At The Fortress Of Acaray, Huaura Valley, Margaret Brown Vega

Margaret Brown Vega

This is a study of ritual, war, and how those frame the construction of communities. Excavations at the fortress of Acaray in the Huaura Valley, Perú yielded evidence for conflict and ritual activities associated with two major time periods: the Early Horizon (ca. 900-200 B.C.) and the Late Intermediate Period (ca. A.D. 1000-1476). Using site survey and excavation data, a geographic information system to perform spatial analysis, and data on regional contexts this study demonstrates that Acaray was simultaneously a place constructed with defense in mind, and a locale for ritual activities linked to the strengthening of social bonds and …