X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis of Ceramics from Santa Rita B, Northern Peru

• Other Authors: Shwartz, Pamela (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Anthropology
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-0326

Santa Rita B (SRB) is a settlement in the Mid-Chao Valley on the northern coast of Peru. Over ten years of excavations by El Proyecto Arqueológico Santa Rita B (Proyecto Arqueológico Santa Rita – PASAR), material culture has been found from the Moche and Recuay societies, which existed contemporaneously from approximately 200-700 CE. Material culture from other societies has also been recovered. Using Recuay ceramics excavated at SRB, this research investigates the relationship between the Recuay people and the archaeological complex of SRB. X-ray fluorescence testing was conducted on Recuay ceramics. These ceramics were compared to clays from three distinct regions: the Chao Valley, the district of Ancash, and the town of Huamachuco. Analysis of the results determined that the Chao Valley was the most likely source location for the clays used to construct the Recuay ceramics. The information presented here adds to a growing body of data about coastal highland relations at the end of the Early Intermediate and beginning of the Middle Horizon periods in Northern Peru. === A Thesis submitted to the Department of Anthropology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. === Degree Awarded: Spring Semester, 2010. === Date of Defense: October 13, 2008. === Ceramics, Recuay, Moche, Peru, Archaeology, Kaolin === Includes bibliographical references. === Cheryl Ward, Professor Co-Directing Thesis; Glen Doran, Professor Co-Directing Thesis; Mary Pohl, Committee Member; Michael Uzendoski, Committee Member; Jonathan Kent, Committee Member.