MOCHE Field School Archaeological Survey and Cartography in Peru, 2010

Field School in Archaeological Survey and Cartography in Peru

AUGUST 3 – 18, 2010

Alicia Boswell looking down the Sinsicap Valley

Program Description: The field school provides students with training in archaeological survey, total station mapping, GPS technology, and laboratory methods as well as instruction in the prehistory of Peru. Students will find and document prehistoric settlements, temples, cemeteries, forts, and other features dating from 1200 BC to the early Spanish colonial period. Spanish documents indicate that the Sinsicap Valley produced the very best coca and that royalty from the Chimu and Inka Empires had estates and coca fields in the valley. In the field, students will encounter well-preserved prehistoric architecture, pottery, stone tools, and other material culture. Students learn how to conduct archaeological survey; navigate with hand-held GPS units; find, record, and photograph, and surface-collect sites; and map sites and architecture using a total station transit, digital range finders, compasses and tape. In the lab, students learn how to analyze artifacts and will assist in developing a local ceramic chronology for the Siniscap Valley. In addition to gaining hands-on training in survey laboratory analysis, and database management, students will actively engage in implementing the project research design.

Tours: On Saturdays, Brian Billman conducts tours of local museums and archaeological sites, including Chan Chan, Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna, El Brujo and Cerro Oreja

Location: The program is based in Simbal, a quaint colonial town, located in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, just outside of the city of Trujillo, a large city on the north coast of Peru. Students live at a hostel in town, just off the Plaza de Armas, provided with group meals 6 days a week. Weekends are spent in Huanchaco a small fishing village an hour drive from Simbal. Huanchaco offers world-renowned archaeological sites, beaches, and world-class surfing.


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Instructors: Brian Billman (Associate Professor, UNC- Chapel Hill), Jesús Briceño (Instituto Nacional de Cultura, Peru), and Alicia Boswell (UC San Diego) combined have more than 50 years of experience working in Peru on survey and excavation projects. MOCHE, Inc: MOCHE is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving archaeological sites and helping poor communities in Peru. It was founded in 2007 by Brian Billman and Jesus Briceño. Combined they have over 50 years of archaeological experience in Peru. Their goal is to create 10 community-based archaeological reserves in the Moche Valley in the next 10 years. MOCHE partners with local communities and assists them in development projects and the creation of archaeological reserves.

Costs: $1,800* covers all lodging, 3 meals a day, 6 days a week, instructional fees, and all site and museum entrance fees. Cost does not include airfare to Peru transportation to the Moche Valley, passport fees, meals on Sundays, and laundry service or personal expenses.

Application: Enrollment is open to anyone over the age of 18. There are no prerequisites; Spanish is not required. Space is limited to 12 students.

Deadline: April 19, 2010; if not filled by this date we will continue to take applications.

For Applications and Information:

* The quoted cost is based on prices and exchange rates as of January 2010. The costs and details of the program itinerary are subject to change.

Participants at rest A Day in the Sinsicap Valley: Survey participants rest on top of Cerro Huancha, a site in the Sinsicap Valley

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