|
|
When: TBD
Program Description: The Guest Researcher Program (GRP) is designed to offer working or retired men and women a chance to participate in an active archaeological project in the Moche Valley of Perú, which is located on the north coast. Up to 18 participants in 3 two-week sessions (6 per session) will work as members of a team that is excavating and studying an archaeological site. One of the sites under consideration, Huaca de los Chinos, is from the Initial period/Early Horizon (1800–400 B.C.). You will work in small teams, under the supervision of a professional archaeologist, to excavate previously unstudied structures on the upper portion of a large-size stone pyramid, which is the site’s principal feature. The project’s research objectives focus on the occupational chronology and function of the pyramid, as well as evidence of social and political structure.
In your free time, you can visit the city of Trujillo, which is located 10 kilometers from Huanchaco. Francisco Pizarro originally established it in the 16th century as a small walled village, but today it is a large metropolitan area of approximately one million inhabitants. A few of the things to visit there include some of the original architecture, archaeological sites, restaurants, museums, nightclubs, and a large central market. A modern shopping mall is located next to the Huanchaco airport. Our free day is Sunday, but you also have free time every evening after dinner.
 Location: The program is based in Huanchaco, a quaint fishing and tourist town, located on the Pacific shoreline. Students live at a hostal in town, and will commute daily to the archaeological site. Huaca Los Chinos is located up the Moche Valley about 30 min by bus or car from Huanchaco and only 20 min from the city of Trujillo. Trujillo is a major economic center in Peru and is home to over a million people.
Accommodations: You will stay in double rooms in a hostal (small hotel) in the fishing/tourist village of Huanchaco, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean. The hostal has modern conveniences including electricity (220 volts), hot running water, flush toilets, and Internet access.  You’ll eat in the hostal dining room where you will enjoy excellent Peruvian cuisine, including fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, and a variety of meats, prepared by the hostal’s cooks. We can accommodate vegetarians, given advanced notice, but we regret that we cannot accommodate a vegan diet. Meals are not covered on Sunday, as Sunday is a free day that volunteers can use to go in and see the city of Trujillo, take surfing lessons or relax on the beach. We can also arrange Spanish lessons from a local tutor for an extra fee.
Language: The people of coastal Peru speak Spanish, and the Moche Valley is no exception. There is no language requirement for the program, as we have bilingual staff, however, as stated above, if you would like to work to improve your Spanish skills we can arrange for tutoring with locals for a fee.
Costs: $3,000* This fee covers lodging in Huanchaco, 3 meals a day, 6 days a week, orientation and educational workshops, guided tours, guided tour fees, transportation to and from Huanchaco and the Huaca de los Chinos Site for the 2-week session. Sunday is your free-time day, and meals and whatever else you do during this time are at your expense.
Application: Enrollment is open to anyone over the age of 21. There are no prerequisites for this program. During the field season, space is limited to 6 guests researchers per 2-week session. Subsequent fields seasons will accommodate 12 guest researchers per 2-week session. Application deadline and field season dates: To be announced.
Deadline: TBD
More Information: Please let us know of your interest in this program or to ask questions by contacting John Pleasants directly.
* The quoted cost is based on prices and exchange rates as of November, 2010. The costs and details of the program itinerary are subject to change.
The Research Site: The remains of the Huaca de los Chinos archaeological site are located in the middle Moche Valley approximately 38 km inland from the village of Huanchaco.
The site layout includes a hill (Cerro El Castillo) that extends northwest to southeast for 800 meters; a large, multilevel, flat-topped stone pyramid (Huaca); a large square plaza directly in front of the huaca (Plaza A) that is surrounded by architecture; an architectural complex consisting of a square plaza (Plaza B) surrounded by four stone platforms; a small plaza abutting the southeastern side of the huaca; and a large open area adjacent to the northwestern side of the huaca. The view from the top the huaca’s summit is spectacular.
During 2006, an extensive excavation project was carried out on Huaca de los Chinos under the direction of Dr. John Pleasants of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Excavations were focused on the large plaza in front of the huaca, four areas on the huaca’s southeastern side, two staircases on the front of the huaca, and on the largest structure on the huaca’s summit. The summit structure yielded radiocarbon dates of 900–750 B.C. Some structures on the top two levels of the huaca that remain unstudied will be one of Dr. Pleasants’ research objectives during the next several field seasons.
Below are some pictures of the site and excavation of Huaca de los Chinos.
Plan view of the site:
Satellite view of the site:
The plan of the patio area on structure 1, room 1:
The patio area on structure 1, room 1 before excavation:
The patio area on structure 1, room 1 after excavation:
|
|