Archaeological Survey in the Huanangue Valley

Archaeological Survey is a term that encompasses many different techniques that archaeologists use to find sites.  In its simplest form, archaeologists walk over a landscape looking for pot sherds, wall fragments, and other evidence of ancient occupation.  Survey is important because it helps us to understand how humans interacted both with each other and with the landscape on a regional scale and how these interactions changed over time.  

 

                                                         Enjoying the view while out on survey

As the Huanangue Valley had never been studied archaeologically, survey was an important first step for the Huanangue Valley Archaeological Project.  In 2008 and 2009, we conducted what is called opportunistic survey by locating "anomalies" (or weird things that look like they might be sites) on aerial photos and in Google Earth imagery.  We then walked around these areas and if they were indeed sites, we would record their location with a GPS and also document information about the size and position of the site as well as the types of ceramics and architecture that was present.  Using this information, we then made an informed guess as to the time period when the site was built and the identity of the people who had lived there.

 

                Google Earth image of Cerro Blanco - this is the site where we want to test the balloon-rig 

Based on the information we collected during survey, we discovered that the Huanangue Valley had been occupied from the Late Archaic Period (3000-1800 BCE) through the Colonial Period (1532-1821 CE).  For the Late Intermediate Period - which is the time period we are interested in - we documented evidence suggesting that three or four groups were living together in the valley and that they appear to have been sharing space relatively peacefully.  The survey data also helped us to plan our 2012 excavations.

 

                                 This is a map of the archaeological localities recorded during survey

 

                                  This map shows the the Late Intermediate Period Archaeological Sites

 

This picture is the real reason archaeologists love survey - because they get to spend the day walking around beautiful places!