ANTHROPOLOGICAL PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Number 96: 234 pp. November 2, 2011

Copyright © American Museum of Natural History 2011

ISSN 0065-9452

http://dx.doi.org/10.5531/sp.anth.0096

[PART 2 OF EPUB]

The Huánuco Pampa Archaeological Project

Volume I: The Plaza and Palace Complex

Craig Morris, R. Alan Covey, and Pat Stein

ABSTRACT

This volume represents the first in a series of publications detailing the archaeological research conducted by Craig Morris and his colleagues at Huánuco Pampa, an Inka provincial administrative center located in highland Peru. The site offers a unique opportunity to study Inka urbanism, and the present publication discusses the form and function of Inka cities, as well as the extent to which the Andean urban form could be coopted by the Spanish empire after the conquest of the Inkas. Open spaces and special state compounds were key components of Inka administrative centers, and attention is given to the archaeological remains found in and around the central plaza at Huánuco Pampa. Buildings on the plaza were probably used by local provincial groups for festive and ceremonial activities presided over by Inka officials. While the central plaza provided space for a broad provincial constituency, a series of smaller open spaces in the Zone IIB administrative palace offered more exclusive areas for encounters between provincial and Inka elites. After discussing Inka palace compounds, the archaeological focus turns to excavations inside structures and in exterior spaces in the palace, revealing patterns of access and degrees of status in the transit from accessible administrative spaces to restricted residential ones. An appendix to the volume provides a detailed description of the analysis of ceramic artifacts from excavations at Huánuco Pampa.

CHAPTER 6: BUILDING SUMMARIES FROM ZONE IIB-1

Zone IIB-1 was defined as the structures and open spaces located between the central plaza and the Zone IIB-2a plaza group. The outer palace gateway (fig. 6.1) controlled access to both subzones, and it is likely that both groups were accessible only by passing through the IIB-2a plaza.

Figure 6.1. Outer palace gateway. An inner gateway opening onto the IIB-2a plaza can be seen farther in, as well as the gateway to the IIB-3a plaza.

EXCAVATIONS IN SUBZONE IIB-1b

The IIB-1b group comprises two structures laid out on a patio to the southwest of the large IIB-2a plaza (fig. 6.2). Excavations included interior units in both structures, as well one exterior test unit.

Figure 6.2. Plaza IIB-1b excavation areas.

Building IIB-1b-1

This building is the larger of the two structures making up the small IIB-1b plaza group. The structure faces north and measures approximately 25 × 8 m, with two doorways and two windows on the northern side. Excavations of a 22.6 m2 transect in the interior (16.7% of the interior space) encountered a deep ash lens (a possible hearth), as well as more than 80 kg of ceramic fragments (2712 sherds) and other artifacts (fig. 6.3). An exterior unit projecting north toward the accessway from Plaza IIB-2a yielded 21.9 kg of ceramics (approximately 1150 sherds) (figs. 6.4, 6.5). The ceramics from inside the building exhibit some differences and affinities with other nearby buildings, as well as the associated exterior unit (table 6.1).

Figure 6.3. IIB-1b-1 Unit C excavation plan.

Figure 6.4. IIB-1b-1, Exterior Unit North 3 plan.

Figure 6.5. IIB-1b-1, Exterior Unit North 3 east profile.

TABLE 6.1: Ceramic Data from IIB-1b Contexts

IIB-1b-1 Int. C(a)

IIB-1b-1 Ext. 103(a)

IIB-1b-2 Int. D(a)

IIB-1b-2 Ext. 305(a)

Jars

43/86 (50%)

50/95 (53%)

81/141 (57.4%)

17/21 (81%)

Ollas

21/86 (24%)

21/95 (22%)

33/141 (23.4%)

0

Bowls/plates

17/86 (20%)

19/95 (20%)

25/141 (17.7%)

3/21 (14%)

Slipping

72/143 (50.3%)

60/100 (60.0%)

68/155 (43.9%)

11/21 (52%)

Decoration

14/143 (9.8%)

8/100 (8.0%)

15/155 (9.7%)

2/21 (10%)

Carbon/soot

15/143 (10.5%)

11/100 (11.0%)

16/155 (10.3%)

1/21 (5%)

Grit-temper (NF)

352/857 (41.1%)

467/953 (49.0%)

416/1254 (33.2%)

158/341 (46.3%)

Mica-temper (NF)

382/857 (44.6%)

441/953 (46.3%)

611/1254 (48.7%)

141/341 (41.3%)

Carbon-temper (NF)

14/857 (1.6%)

8/953 (0.8%)

20/1254 (1.6%)

9/341 (2.6%)

(a)Proveniences: IIB-1b-1 Int. C: IIB147, IIB148; IIB-1b-1 Ext. 103: IIB155, IIB156; IIB-1b-2 Int. D: IIB149, IIB150, IIB151, IIB154; IIB-1b-2 Ext. 305: IIB153.

The sample of pottery included a high percentage of decorated sherds (both feature and nonfeature), with Inka polychromes and local incised decorations both represented. While the imperial HPPA design was identified on four narrow-mouth jars, a number of bowls and plates had nonimperial decorations. Vessel frequency indicates a somewhat lower incidence (50%, or 43/86) of the kinds of large jars and ollas used for preparing maize beer or cooking for large events, as well as for plates and bowls used in public feasts (15%, or 13/86). Small ollas and pedestal-based cooking ollas make up a larger proportion of identified vessels (24%, or 21/86). The presence of “strainer like” perforated ceramics may indicate that maize toasting was one of the small-scale cooking activities taking place in this building. Considerable amounts of maize were present along the south wall of the building, found in association with the strainer fragments and a number of scoop-shaped worked sherds.

The interior excavations yielded a number of other tools, including two stone knives, two small stone pestles, a polishing stone, and two bone weaving tools. Some animal bone (mostly unburnt) was present in this building. The lack of grinding slabs and lower frequency of large open-mouth jars suggests that toasting corn and preparing other foods was more important than brewing-related work.

The ceramics from the exterior unit (IIB-1b-1-103) had similar vessel frequencies for most categories, but had a lower rate of decoration (2.7%, or 31/1141) and slipping (33.0%, or 377/1141) than the building interior. The percentage of slipped sherds was low overall for both outside and inside the building (42.5%, or 481/1132), and although the proportion of burnt or soot-smudged sherds from the two areas is lower than the site average (10.7%, compared to nearly 20%), this may be attributed to a greater number of serving vessels. Decoration of vessels from inside the building, more common than most other buildings, suggests both imperial sponsorship and communication of local identities. Vessels decorated with circular incisions (possibly local jar types) were found in this building, as well as several plates with diverse decorations, including provincial Inka designs. Given their portability, plates may have been brought to public events and used by individuals as markers of identity or status. The building may have been used for preparing or serving food, for domestic cooking by palace residents, or both. The affinities shared by this building and buildings IIB-2a-1, IIB-2a-2, and IIB-2a-3 suggest that these may have been secondary buildings used in larger feasting events within the palace. The prevalence of the rare black-washed paste (PTYPE 11) in this building and its presence in nearby buildings may indicate an association between them.

Building IIB-1b-2

Measuring 15 × 7.4 m and facing east, this building is somewhat smaller than IIB-1b-1. An area of 15.7 m2 was excavated in this building, revealing an Inka occupation disturbed by later reuse of the building (figs. 6.6, 6.7). Excavations in the west part of the unit encountered the remains of clay vessel supports (used to stand up large jars, including vessels used for storage and brewing), while the eastern part of the unit contained an ash lens suggesting some sort of cooking or food heating. Maize was present in both activity areas. Other recovered materials included a spindle whorl, animal bone (mostly unburnt bones associated with an intrusive cow burial), several pieces of pigment, and 2096 ceramic fragments.

The ceramic collection had a high proportion of decorated sherds (5.75%) when compared to the palace and site, with the majority of these (73%, or 80/109) represented by imperial (HPPA and HPPB) motifs, which were identified only on narrow-mouth jars. Three local jars (VTYPE5) were decorated with circular incisions, evidence for the introduction of nonimperial serving vessels to this part of the palace. The presence of local incised designs and Huánuco Pampa Polychrome with Figures (HPPF) fragments was higher in most palace buildings, the latter decoration typically associated with Inka plate forms. In terms of vessel distribution, the frequency of jars, ollas, and plates/bowls did not deviate substantially from the site or palace average, although several large decorated plate fragments were included in the assemblage.

Figure 6.6. IIB-1b-2, Interior Unit D plan.

Figure 6.7. IIB-1b-2, Interior Unit D, north profile.

EXCAVATIONS IN SUBZONE IIB-1c

The IIB-1c group is located to the north of the main complex gateway, behind a great hall (kallanka) building on the plaza (IIB-1a-1) and a large hall on the IIB-2a plaza. Spanish reuse of this area makes the architectural pattern of the IIB-1c group hard to interpret.

Building IIB-1c-1

The dimensions of this building were difficult to determine due to a Colonial reoccupation that involved the reconstruction of some of the walls (figs. 6.8, 6.9). Along with IIB-1c-2 and IIB-1c-3, this building appears to form a small patio group to the northwest of Plaza IIB-2a. It is possible that these buildings were accessible without actually passing through the main gateway and entering the IIB-2a plaza, and that this kancha area would have in turn provided access to other small patio groups to the north of the plaza (IIB-2b and IIB-2c).

Figure 6.8. Excavation of IIB-1c-1 interior. Note the preservation of the great hall opening onto the central plaza.

Figure 6.9. IIB-1c-1 excavation units.

Excavations associated with IIB-1c-1 included 18.9 m2 of the building interior, as well as two exterior units to the south (4.3 m2) and west (3.8 m2) of the structure, where a possible accessway would have been located (figs. 6.10, 6.11, 6.12). Of approximately 2800 sherds (47.8 kg) found inside the structure, a sample of 1163 sherds was analyzed. In addition, a side-rocker grinding stone was found, as well as a spindle whorl, a bone weaving tool (fig. 6.13), other unworked animal bones, and the remains of both maize and tubers.

Figure 6.10. IIB-1c-1 excavations.

Figure 6.11. IIB-1c-1, Sector D, West Profile.

Figure 6.12. IIB-1c-1, Exterior Unit South 3, West Profile.

Figure 6.13. Bone weaving tool from Building IIB-1c-1 interior (scale = 5 cm).

TABLE 6.2: Ceramic Data from IIB-1c-1

IIB-1c-1 Int. D(a)

IIB-1c-1 Ext. 303(a)

IIB-1c-1 Ext. 402(a)

Jars

75/107 (70.1%)

4/10 (40%)

7/10 (70%)

Ollas

16/107 (15.0%)

1/10 (10%)

3/10 (30%)

Bowls/plates

15/107 (14.0%)

5/10 (50%)

0

Slipping

53/128 (41.4%)

4/10 (40%)

6/12 (50%)

Decoration

7/128 (5.5%)

1/10 (10%)

0

Carbon/soot

12/128 (9.4%)

0

1/12 (8%)

Grit-temper (NF)

455/913 (49.8%)

43/76 (56.6%)

78/139 (56.1%)

Mica-temper (NF)

305/913 (33.4%)

25/76 (32.9%)

28/139 (20.1%)

Carbon-temper (NF)

39/913 (4.3%)

4/76 (5.3%)

7/139 (5.0%)

(a)Proveniences: IIB-1c-1 Int. D: IIB159, IIB160; IIB-1c-1 Ext. 303: IIB158; IIB-1c-1 Ext. 402: IIB182.

The exterior units yielded a small ceramic sample (table 6.2) that may be considered as one unit. Decorated sherds are more common in this building than in other parts of the palace, and are dominated by Inka imperial designs (Huánuco Pampa Polychrome variants comprise 93% of all decorated sherds, or 87/94). It is interesting to note that HPPB is the dominant imperial design in the Plaza IIB-2a group, and the Inka polychrome styles found in this building tend to be HPPA (51% of decorated sherds, or 48/94) or polychrome with figures (HPPF, 36%, or 34/94), with only four fragments of HPPB encountered. The other buildings in this area lack evidence for local decoration, and tend to have HPPA decoration as the primary decorative motif represented.

The Spanish reuse of this building makes it difficult to evaluate access and use patterns. The presence of botanical remains and grinders suggests that some food preparation took place, although no hearth was present in the excavated area. The high proportion of Inka jar forms is noteworthy, as is the limited presence of local decorated pottery and HPPB designs (which are much more prevalent inside the palace).

Building IIB-1c-2

Excavations associated with this building consisted of two small exterior units (a total area of just over 8 m2), which yielded a small artifact assemblage (65 sherds; table 6.3). The building, which measures approximately 5.5 × 13 m, forms the western side of the small IIB-1c patio group. It may have been used to control access to less restricted domestic parts of the palace. The excavation of the western test unit (IIB-1c-2-404) revealed a low bench (pullu) along a narrow (0.95 m) paved passageway delimited by the IIB-1c compound wall (figs. 6.14–16). The east test unit revealed a secondary wall extending eastward from the building (fig. 6.17).

In considering building function, it is interesting to note similarities in size between this and other buildings located in the patio groups northwest of the IIB-2a plaza. The IIB-1c and IIB-2b groups have four structures of roughly the same dimensions (5.0–5.5 × 13.5–14.5 m) and size (67–80 m2) located near each other, features seen in two other buildings located in the elite residential area (IIB-3b-8, IIB-3b-9). Given the clustering of such buildings in domestic areas, it is possible that these were used for the same sorts of activities. If these were related to craft production, then the location of the larger cluster in the lower-status patio groups would suggest that productive activities there were not focused toward high-status goods. The presence of several mortars and pestles in three of the four buildings in this area may in fact indicate some sort of special production, and it is interesting to note that 50% (16/32) of the mortars or pestles found in the palace came from the northwestern building clusters (IIB-1c, IIB-2b, IIB-2c), an area accounting for only 10.6% (19,976/188,182) of the palace ceramics. There is also an apparent negative correlation throughout the palace between the presence of mortar/pestle tools and tools related to cloth production, such as spindle whorls and a knitting needle associated with one of the buildings (see below). The possibility of craft production needs to be explored more fully to discuss possible spatial divisions by gender. Even if they were used primarily for craft activities, such buildings could also have been used as sleeping quarters at times when extra visitors were present in the palace.

Figure 6.14. IIB-1c-2 Exterior Unit West 4.

Figure 6.15. IIB-1c-2, Exterior Unit West 4, North Profile.

Figure 6.16. Excavation of exterior test unit. Note the quality and preservation of the masonry of the neighboring great hall structure.

Figure 6.17. IIB-1c-2, Exterior Unit East 3, South Profile.

TABLE 6.3: Ceramic Data from IIB-1c-2 and IIB-1c-3

IIB-1c-2 Ext. 203(a)

IIB-1c-2 Ext. 404(a)

IIB-1c-3 Int. D(a)

IIB-1c-3 Ext. 401(a)

Jars

3/6 (50%)

1/1 (100%)

4/11 (36%)

1/5 (20%)

Ollas

2/6 (33%)

0

3/11 (27%)

3/5 (60%)

Bowls/plates

1/6 (17%)

0

3/11 (27%)

0

Slipping

3/6 (50%)

1/1 (100%)

5/11 (45%)

2/5 (40%)

Decoration

0

1/11 (9%)

0

Carbon/soot

2/6 (33%)

0

1/11 (9%)

0

Grit-temper (NF)

27/44 (61%)

11/14 (79%)

79/277 (28.5%)

23/52 (44%)

Mica-temper (NF)

8/44 (18%)

3/14 (21%)

160/277 (57.8%)

15/52 (29%)

Carbon-temper (NF)

1/44 (2%)

0

22/277 (7.9%)

10/52 (19%)

(a)Proveniences: IIB-1c-1 Int. D: IIB159, IIB160; IIB-1c-1 Ext. 303: IIB158; IIB-1c-1 Ext. 402: IIB182.

(a)Proveniences: IIB-1c-2 Ext. 203: IIB164; IIB-1c-2 Ext. 404: IIB163; IIB-1c-3 Int. D: IIB161, IIB162; IIB-1c-3 Ext. 401: IIB165.

Building IIB-1c-3

This building has the same size and dimensions as the preceding structure, and like it, had a small (353 sherds) artifact assemblage. Excavations included both interior (10.5 m2) and exterior (2.1 m2) units (figs. 6.18–19). The exterior unit yielded few ceramics, as well as what the excavator described as a metal knitting tool. The interior of the building was better preserved than IIB-1c-2 (see above), with nicely finished stone walls and interior niches. The presence of plaster on the building’s interior walls may hint at a dormitory function, as plastering would cut down on heat loss and drafts. Other small buildings with interior plastering and limited artifact assemblages have been identified in other parts of the IIB complex. No botanical or pre-Hispanic faunal remains were encountered in either unit, and the small artifact assemblage included some decorated ceramic fragments (16 unidentified fragments with HPPB decoration), mortar and pestles, and a pendant, possibly made of silver (fig. 6.20). The lack of evidence for large-scale cooking or eating would seem to support the identification of this building as one used for other activities.

Figure 6.18. IIB-1c-3, Exterior Unit West 1.

Figure 6.19. IIB-1c-3, Interior Unit D, North Profile.

Figure 6.20. Pendant from Building IIB-1c-3 (scale = 3 cm).

CHAPTER 7: ZONE IIB-2a BUILDING SUMMARIES

Passing through the pair of gateways from the central plaza, one enters the one-hectare IIB-2a plaza, which is delimited by the largest structures in the Zone IIB compound (fig. 7.1). Excavations in the Zone IIB-2a group focused on six of these buildings with only minor work carried out in associated exterior spaces. The artifact assemblage shows some similarities with the buildings excavated on the main plaza, but with stronger stylistic ties to the Inka state (fig. 7.2).

Figure 7.1. IIB-2a-1 Sector C.

Figure 7.2. Photograph of Sector C excavations. Note the use of cut stone masonry in the building architecture, probably for window and niche areas.

Building IIB-2a-1

Located on the IIB-2a plaza, this building was selected for excavation because of its small size (20 × 8.5 m) relative to other plaza structures. Although it is significantly larger than the buildings comprising the minor kancha groups in the Zone IIB compound, the area of this building is less than half that of most other buildings in the plaza, and is smaller than any building from the Zone IIB-3a plaza group (although its dimensions are closer to those buildings). Excavations of two transects (including one doorway and an associated exterior unit) covered 41.5 m2 of interior space and 3.4 m2 of doorway and the adjacent exterior area (fig. 7.3). In total, a sample of approximately 33% of the building interior was excavated.

The small (1 × 2.5 m) doorway unit projecting north from Sector C yielded ample evidence for the remains of outdoor feasting activities, as well as the remains of a pebble paving of the plaza floor. The dense ceramic assemblage (more than 2500 sherds) from the doorway unit included large serving platters, the remains of several drinking vessels, and bones (ribs and vertebrae) of large animals. Although the sample size of feature pottery was modest, small cooking vessels, plates, and bowls seem to be underrepresented, while drinking vessels and jars are abundant.

The excavations inside the building suggest that this structure was used for cooking and serving during public events taking place in the adjacent plaza. Samples of carbonized maize, potatoes, and animal bones were found scattered in association with numerous burnt patches of the building floor, as well as a stone mortar and grinder. Large ash lenses were encountered in various parts of the two interior units, and the presence of a bone weaving tool (fig. 7.4) and 13 spindle whorls in and around the building suggests that some of the cooking activity taking place also permitted secondary activities such as spinning to be conducted while food was being prepared. Mica flakes and small fragments of metal were encountered in Sector C and suggest non-cooking activities. A metal pin (tupu) and a lunate knife (tumi) were also encountered in the building interior (fig. 7.5).

Rather than simply a place where food or drink was served, this building appears to have been used for from-scratch cooking activities involving a variety of foodstuffs, including toasted maize (a fragment of a maize-parching vessel was found), ground maize, tubers, and meat. Burning was especially pronounced in Sector F, where large patches of orange and black burnt earth were encountered (fig. 7.6). Burnt maize and potatoes were present in this unit, in association with serving vessel fragments, including fine plates.

The overall vessel assemblage from the building interior had a surprisingly low number of jars, so that despite the evidence for maize and grinding tools, the apparatus for brewing does not seem to be present (as observed in some buildings on the IIB-3a plaza; see below). Jars made up only 35.8% (83/232) of the feature sherds (compared to 57.1% for the entire palace), while ollas, plates, and bowls were found in much higher percentages (ollas made up 33.6% [78/232] of the assemblage, well above the palace average of 21.6%; plates/bowls constituted 23.7% [55/232], well above the palace average of 15.5%). The abundance of cooking ollas and pedestal-based ollas suggests a different kind of cooking from the IIB-3a buildings, which had more wide-mouth jars and narrow-neck jars (see below).

Decorated pottery may indicate a serving function associated with the cooking function already described. Overall, there were few decorated sherds from this building (0.96%, or 54/5630) and a slightly higher presence of burnt sherds than the palace average (about 8% of the feature sherds [19/232]), which would reinforce the argument that cooking was a significant function. However, it is interesting that for decorated sherds identified by vessel type, all vessels with imperial Inka decoration (HPPA and HPPB) were narrow-mouth jars, while all other decorated sherds (except for one olla fragment) came from plates or bowls (especially large serving platters [VTYPE 19]). Some of the plate decorations from this building are imperial Inka (although not identifiable as Cusco Polychrome variations). The absence of local incised designs or provincial Inka decoration contrasts with similar food-preparation contexts in the buildings around the central plaza, suggesting that this building was not used for events where local identity was accentuated. Instead, the imperial styles appearing on serving vessels and the types of other remains suggest that food preparation occurring in this building was linked to state-sponsored events in the nearby plaza.

It is worth noting that in addition to evidence of cooking and spinning, flakes of mica were encountered in Sector C of this building, as were scattered fragments of copper. Although ambiguous, these materials may document that other craft activities occurred within this structure.

Figure 7.3. IIB-2a-1, Sector C, West Profile.

Figure 7.4. Bone weaving tool from building interior. The circular incised pattern on the bone is similar to local patterns of ceramic production, although the pottery from the building had strong Inka stylistic affiliations (scale = 5 cm).

Figure 7.5. Metal tumi knife from Building IIB-2a-1 (scale = 5 cm).

Figure 7.6. IIB-2a-1, Sector F.

TABLE 7.1: Ceramic Data from IIB-2a-1 and IIB-2a-2

IIB-2a-1 Int. C(a)

IIB-2a-1 Int. F(a)

IIB-2a-2 Int. D(a)

IIB-2a-2 Int. J(a)

Jars

60/115 (52.2%)

50/150 (33.3%)

228/357 (63.9%)

67/119 (56.3%)

Ollas

23/115 (20.0%)

61/150 (40.7%)

56/357 (15.7%)

18/119 (15.1%)

Bowls/plates

23/115 (20.0%)

35/150 (23.3%)

62/357 (17.4%)

30/119 (25.2%)

Slipping

66/119 (55.5%)

96/166 (57.8%)

183/377 (48.5%)

66/136 (48.5%)

Decoration

4/119 (3.4%)

11/166 (6.6%)

24/377 (6.4%)

2/136 (1.5%)

Carbon/soot

11/119 (9.2%)

16/166 (9.6%)

26/377 (6.9%)

7/136 (5.1%)

Grit-temper (NF)

1528/3014 (50.70%)

855/1995 (42.86%)

1547/3086 (50.13%)

1378/2799 (49.23%)

Mica-temper (NF)

843/3014 (27.97%)

878/1995 (44.01%)

1109/3086 (35.94%)

1301/2799 (46.48%)

Carbon-temper (NF)

329/3014 (10.92%)

142/1995 (7.12%)

280/3086 (9.07%)

60/2799 (2.14%)

(a)Proveniences: IIB-2a-1 Int. C: IIB142, IIB143, IIB144, IIB145; IIB-2a-1 Int. F: IIB104, IIB105, IIB106, IIB107; IIB-2a-2 Int. D: IIB100, IIB101, IIB102, IIB103; IIB-2a-2 Int. J: IIB139, IIB140, IIB141.

Building IIB-2a-2

Along with the preceding structure, this building faces north, defining the southern side of the IIB-2a plaza. It is the second-largest structure in the plaza group, with a total area of 468 m2. Two interior units (sectors D and J; figs. 7.7–10) were excavated in this building, totaling an area of 52.4 m2 (approximately a 15% sample of the building interior) yielding a considerable artifact assemblage that included ceramics (247.1 kg, approximately 17,400 fragments), stone tools (18), spindle whorls (32), and samples of maize and carbonized wood. A puma head figure of unknown material was recorded in field drawings (fig. 7.8).

The ceramics exhibit some marked differences when compared to those from IIB-2a-1. Not only are jar forms dominant (61.6% of feature sherds, or 293/476), but the wide-mouth jar, or tinaja, is particularly well represented, with more than 60 identified examples (13% of the feature sherds). This might indicate that the storage or service of liquid—possibly including brewing and serving maize beer during public events—took place in this building. The discovery of a significant sample of grinding tools (four grinding slabs and seven grinding stones) in the building is consistent with preparation of maize for brewing. If brewing took place in this building, it would have been just one of several activities. The size of the narrow-mouth jars found in this building was noticeably smaller than similar jar forms found in areas of large-scale brewing, and jar supports for brewing vessels were not encountered in this building, although clay rings or earthen depressions used as supports may not have been preserved. The presence of fragments of maize-toasting ceramics in multiple contexts indicates that maize may have been prepared here as both food and liquid. A small wooden spoon (fig. 7.11) was found in association with fragments of several ceramic drinking vessels and two stacked plates, suggesting the service of both foods and liquids. Stone knives and serving platters found in other parts of the building interior may also hint at other kinds of food preparation and service (figs. 7.12–13). Early Colonial accounts of indigenous foods describe the preparation of stews and maize cakes (e.g., Cobo, 1963 [1653]: book 14, chap. 5; Garcilaso de la Vega, 1965 [1609]: book 8, chap. 9), and it is possible that several foods were prepared in this building for consumption during certain of the activities taking place in the IIB-2a plaza.

Decorated feature ceramics are dominated by narrow-mouth jars and plates/bowls, and demonstrate the same decorative distinction noted above for IIB2a-1. All Cusco Inka decoration is found on narrow-mouth jars (3 HPPA, 14 HPPB), while plates and bowls account for provincial Inka (HPPF) and other styles. Unfortunately, none of the local incised sherds encountered in the building (five circular, six crossed-line) could be identified by vessel type. It should be noted that the presence of these styles may signify an affiliation with the IIB-1b buildings and with IIB-2a-3 (discussed below), where the majority of all incised sherds were encountered. While accounting for only 22% (21,313/95,112) of the analyzed palace ceramics, five buildings in this part of the palace (IIB-1b-1, IIB-1b-2, IIB-1c-1, IIB-2a-2, and IIB-2a-3) yielded 57% (48/84) of the incised designs, including all examples of the crossed-line incision, a design encountered most frequently in Zone VB-5 (thought to be the site aqllawasi). The artifact affiliation found in this cluster of buildings will be discussed below, following the description of building IIB-2a-3.

Figure 7.7. IIB-2a-2, Sector D doorway.

Figure 7.8. IIB-2a-2, Sector D. Ceramic sherds here included many jar forms.

Figure 7.9. IIB-2a-2, Sector J. Remains here suggest maize may have been prepared here as both food and drink.

Figure 7.10. IIB-2a-2, Sector J, West Profile.

Figure 7.11. Wooden spoon fragments from building interior (scale = 10 cm).

Figure 7.12. Stacked Inka plates in the building interior.

Figure 7.13. Stone knife from building interior (scale = 10 cm).

Building IIB-2a-3

Along with Building IIB-2a-4, this structure forms the west side of the outer plaza, flanking the gateway that provides access from the main plaza of the site, but also sharing some artifact affiliations with the building cluster to the southwest of the plaza (IIB-1b). Like most buildings on the IIB-2a plaza, IIB-2a-3 is large (414 m2), and two transects were excavated (a total area of nearly 55 m2) inside the structure, a sample of approximately 17% of the interior space (figs. 7.14–17). Unlike other buildings on this plaza, this structure had a hardened clay floor that was elevated a step above the level of the plaza. Interestingly, the faunal, botanical, and artifact assemblage encountered resembles that of IIB-2a-1 more than the buildings adjacent to it—it is possible that this building represents an area of serving and consuming food and drink associated with the cooking activities occurring in IIB-2a-1. The final preparation, serving, and consumption of food in building IIB-2a-3 may be indicated by food remains—namely maize, potatoes, and burnt animal bones—and the presence of several stone knives.

Although ceramics were found in much greater density (over 380 kg, approximately 20,550 sherds) in this building than those already discussed, remains of grinding stones were limited, consisting of a grinding slab, two mortars, and a grinder. Burn marks and soot deposits were observed on a lower percentage of feature sherds than the palace average (3.3%, or 13/399). Some heating or small-scale cooking may have occurred in this building, as the excavations encountered several small ash piles and charred grass associated with vessel supports near to the interior walls. Some of these were associated with a low platform made of stones and clay, which had a small hearth feature on top of it.

Looking at vessel categories, a multifunctional context is indicated, as frequencies of the major vessel types occur at around the averages for the Zone IIB compound (jars 55.3%, ollas 18.4%, bowls/plates 19.5%). During the excavation of this building, it was postulated that the structure was used for reheating and serving food, but not for large-scale from-scratch cooking. In terms of decoration, analysis of feature sherds does support the food-service function. Decorated sherds identified by vessel type once again show a distinction between narrow-mouth jars (2 HPPA, 8 HPPB, 4 “other”) and plates and bowls (1 HPPB, 12 “other”). The incidence of decorated (4.39%, or 375/8534) and slipped (46.31%, or 3952/8534) sherds is somewhat higher than that seen in the other buildings in the plaza group, but still lower than that in the IIB-1b buildings. In looking at the cluster that includes IIB-1b-1, IIB-1b-2, IIB-2a-2, and IIB-2a-3, some decorative affinities have already been discussed. There also exist certain distinctions between the two buildings in IIB-1b and the two in IIB-2a. For example, while HPPA is more common (83 sherds) than HPPB (69 sherds) in the IIB-1b buildings, HPPB is nearly four times as common as HPPA in the IIB-2a buildings (495 HPPB sherds, compared to 128 HPPA). The local crossed-line incision decoration is seen in the plaza buildings, but is absent from the IIB-1b collections (and from other parts of the palace). The IIB-1b buildings have fewer local sherds, but have the rare paste type 11, which is seen in only five buildings in the palace area. The greater number of nonimperial designs may indicate that the communication of imperial style was less significant in these buildings, while the distinctions in Huánuco Pampa Polychrome varieties might indicate different categories of people recognized by the empire at events in the IIB-2a plaza.

Figure 7.14. IIB-2a-3, Sector D.

Figure 7.15. IIB-2a-3, Sector H.

Figure 7.16. Photograph of Sector H excavations. The structure’s floor was made of hardened clay, a feature not encountered in nearby buildings.

Figure 7.17. IIB-2a-3, Sector H, North Profile.

Building IIB-2a-4

This building provides an interesting contrast with those discussed previously, and presents perhaps the best argument for an administrative structure in the IIB-2a plaza area. Together with IIB-2a-3, building IIB-2a-4 flanks the entry to the IIB-2a plaza, and both buildings have elevated clay floors. Although the two buildings are of comparable size (414 and 418 m2, respectively), and similar areas of both building interiors were excavated (approximately 55 m2 and 51 m2, respectively), the artifact assemblages were substantially different (figs. 7.18–21). In terms of artifact density, more than 16 times as many ceramic fragments were found in building IIB-2a-3 as in IIB-2a-4 (1355 sherds, or 17.2 kg). Given that the average sherd weight (and by extension, size) is approximately 50% greater in IIB-2a-3 (18.6 g/sherd, compared to 12.7 g/sherd for IIB-2a-4), it appears that the ceramics in IIB-2a-4 represent fewer vessels, and probably smaller ones.

The vessel forms recovered in this building indicate that large-scale cooking and feasting were not taking place here. There were small concentrations of ash in Sector K, but no evidence of large hearths or areas used repeatedly for large-scale cooking. Jar forms represented only 40% of identified feature sherds (39/98), and while ollas were found in normal frequency (19%, or 19/98), and plate and bowls were much more prevalent than the average for the IIB compound (37%, or 36/98). Some burnt maize and animal bone and a grinding stone fragment were found in the transect that yielded the majority of the ceramic sample, indicating that some food preparation may have taken place in one end of the building. Slipped ceramics were more frequent in this building than in the other plaza buildings (50.0%, or 676/1353), although decoration was less common (1.3%, or 18/1353) than in many plaza buildings (e.g., IIB-2a-3). Decorated feature sherds included plates (2), narrow-mouth jars (2), and an olla. The small sample size allows only the observation that the decorated jars are rather small, and their decoration (HPPB) may suggest a local use.

Some suggestions can be made regarding building function. The size and location of the building and the presence of multiple wide doorways do not suggest an ordinary dormitory function, although parts of the building interior were plastered. The absence of spindle whorls in the excavation units may indicate that this building was not used for activities where spinning would take place (for example, primary activities like cooking, which would present periods of “monitoring” activity where spinning could be done as a secondary activity), or that it was kept well cleaned after use in ways that the other plaza buildings were not. It may be that this building was used for administrative purposes, or served to house palace guards during periods when the palace was occupied by royal visitors. As mentioned above, it is possible that a single building could have multiple functions, and given that several of these would not leave a distinct artifact assemblage, such interpretations remain speculative.

Figure 7.18. IIB-2a-4, Sector E.

Figure 7.19. IIB-2a-4, Sector K.

Figure 7.20. Photograph of Sector K excavation.

Figure 7.21. IIB-2a-4, Sector K, North Profile.

TABLE 7.2: Ceramic Data from IIB-2a-3 and IIB-2a-4

IIB-2a-3 Int. D(a)

IIB-2a-3 Int. H(a)

IIB-2a-4 Int. E(a)

IIB-2a-4 Int. K(a)

Jars

162/293 (55.3%)

52/81 (64%)

5/21 (24%)

35/77 (45%)

Ollas

53/293 (18.1%)

16/81 (20%)

7/21 (33%)

12/77 (16%)

Bowls/plates

61/293 (20.8%)

12/81 (15%)

9/21 (43%)

27/77 (35%)

Slipping

205/310 (66.1%)

44/89 (49%)

19/23 (83%)

49/84 (58%)

Decoration

27/310 (8.7%)

2/89 (2%)

0

6/84 (7%)

Carbon/soot

9/310 (2.9%)

4/89 (4%)

4/23 (17%)

8/84 (10%)

Grit-temper (NF)

2754/5449 (50.54%)

1088/2037 (53.41%)

157/278 (56.5%)

377/927 (40.7%)

Mica-temper (NF)

1414/5449 (25.95%)

808/2037 (39.67%)

108/278 (38.8%)

429/927 (46.3%)

Carbon-temper (NF)

439/5449 (8.06%)

106/2037 (5.20%)

7/278 (2.5%)

30/927 (3.2%)

(a)Proveniences: IIB-2a-3 Int. D: IIB108, IIB109, IIB110, IIB111, IIB112, IIB113; IIB-2a-3 Int. H: IIB135, IIB136, IIB137, IIB138; IIB-2a-4 Int. E: IIB114, IIB115; IIB-2a-4 Int. K: IIB132, IIB133, IIB134.

Building IIB-2a-5

Located on the northwest side of the IIB-2a plaza, this building is slightly smaller than those just discussed (378 m2), with four doors opening onto the plaza. Like the other plaza buildings, two transects were selected for excavation, a sample of just under 13% of the interior space (48 m2). Sector A contained several stone tools, including two pestles and a two mortar fragments. Two earthen jar supports were still preserved on the building floor. Several fragments of deer antler were found in association with one of the vessel supports, and a bone weaving tool was encountered nearby (fig. 7.22). Sector E also had vessel supports, including one made of clay that had a narrow-mouth jar in situ. A piece of deer antler was found to the side of the vessel, as was a well-preserved fragment of a wooden kero (fig. 7.23–24). These finds were located near the doorway of the building, where a subterranean offering unit (discussed below) was encountered during the doorway excavations (fig. 7.25–26).

Unlike building IIB-2a-4, the artifact assemblage encountered was substantial, comprising more than 22,000 ceramic fragments (22,315, a total mass of 261.1 kg), five spindle whorls (fig. 7.27), several stone grinding tools, and remains of animal bone, maize, and potatoes.

The ceramic evidence and other artifacts from this building suggest a function related, if not to brewing itself, at least to the storage and serving of maize beer. In addition, the building seems to have been used for preparing other foodstuffs for public activities in the IIB-2a plaza. Vessel-type analysis of feature sherds reveals higher proportions of jars (66.8%, or 248/371) and ollas (21.0%, or 78/371) than expected for the palace, while plates and bowls were much less frequent than expected (only 7.8%, or 29/371). Fragments of small serving pitchers (VTYPE 2) were observed, indicating that the service of liquids (possibly including maize beer) was part of the building function. Over 80% of these pitcher fragments were slipped (9/11, compared to a rate of slipping of 33.1% for the building), and the discovery of an ornately decorated wooden kero (figs. 7.28–29) and fragments of ceramic drinking vessels suggests that this building was not simply a context for the daily consumption of water or alcoholic beverages. Several fragments of deer antler were present in the building interior (fig. 7.30), also indicating a possible special use of the building. Fragments from two decorated narrow-mouth jars were encountered (both HPPB), as well as three other decorated feature sherds not identified by vessel type. The elevated rates of decoration and slipping may support the inference that stylistic communication was more important in the service of beverages than other foods.

Overall, few vessels in this building were slipped (35.9%, or 3109/8662) or decorated (0.81%, or 70/8662), but frequencies of burnt and sooty sherds were low for the feature pottery collection (11/371), suggesting that initial steps in brewing or cooking may have taken place elsewhere. This would be supported by the lower frequency of spindle whorls in this building (compared to IIB-2a-2 and IIB-3a-1, for example). Still, several grinders and grinding stones were encountered, as well as samples of maize and a large component of unslipped wide-mouth jars. Clay vessel supports (for narrow- and wide-mouth jars) were observed, some of which had burnt vessel bases in situ. Some maize beer may have been prepared in this building, and the storage or fermentation of liquids also seems to have taken place here.

As noted above, a slate-lined subterranean box was encountered during the excavation of the doorway of Sector E. The chamber contained three complete jars—a miniature aryballoid jar, a wide-mouth jar, and a rare strap-handled jar (figs. 7.31–36). The location of the cache and small size of the vessels suggests an offering. The concentration of decorated pottery, deer antler, and a kero fragment near the opening of the cache indicates ritual or festive activity, perhaps pertaining to brewing, given the vessels placed in the cache. The placement of such an offering at the time of the building’s construction would lie clearly in the ritual domain of the female specialists (mamakuna) at the nearby aqllawasi compound.

In addition to evidence for the preparation and/or service of maize foods and beverages, faunal remains were observed in the interior units. Deer antler was found in both transects, probably indicating the use of antlers either as tools or for ceremonial purposes (for example, Guaman Poma de Ayala shows people from Chinchaysuyu dancing with antlers during an important local festival). Camelid and deer bone were found in the building, as well as bones of European domesticates (Colonial pottery was also found in one unit). Potato remains were also present in association with burnt bone in a hearth area.

In terms of building function, it seems that this structure was used for a variety of activities, including the cooking of food, some parts of the brewing process, and the service of maize beer. Large-scale serving or consumption of food does not appear to be important here, given the small component of plates and bowls, and low incidence of decorated ceramics overall.

Figure 7.22. IIB-2a-5, Sector A.

Figure 7.23. IIB-2a-5, Sector E.

Figure 7.24. IIB-2a-5, Sector E, West Profile. A = area of burnt earth; B = earthen circular support for wide-mouth jar; C = earthen circular support for narrow-mouth jar.

Figure 7.25. IIB-2a-5, Sector E doorway.

Figure 7.26. IIB-2a-5, Sector E doorway profile.

Figure 7.27. Spindle whorl found in Sector A excavations (scale = 3 cm).

Figure 7.28. Wooden kero cup in situ from Sector E excavations.

Figure 7.29. Laboratory photograph of wooden kero (scale = 10 cm).

Figure 7.30. Deer antler from Sector E excavations.

Figure 7.31. Vessel cache before excavation.

Figure 7.32. Vessel cache after opening and before removing vessels.

Figure 7.33. Cache after removal of vessels.

Figure 7.34. Miniature narrow-mouth jar from cache (scale = 10 cm).

Figure 7.35. Wide-mouth jar from cache (scale = 10 cm).

Figure 7.36. Jar from cache (scale = 10 cm).

Building IIB-2a-6

With a total area of 570 m2, this is the largest building in the palace area, forming the northern half of the east side of the outer plaza, and flanking the access to the more restricted IIB-3a plaza. As with the other plaza buildings, this one was sampled in two units totaling 33.4 m2 (figs. 7.37–40). The small transects yielded a substantial artifact assemblage dominated by ceramics (7755 sherds, a total of 125 kg), but also including seven ceramic spindle whorls, fragments of two maize parching vessels, two ground stone tools (a pestle and a possible spindle whorl), and remains of maize (kernels, as well as several complete cobs), potatoes, and burnt animal bone.

The ceramics indicate that food service and consumption may have been important activities in this building. Jar and olla forms are slightly less frequent than the IIB compound average (52.7 %, or 226/429, and 15.9%, or 68/429, respectively), while plates and bowls are present in higher percentages than in many other palace buildings (23.1%, or 99/429). In addition, vessels are slipped (47.3%, or 2489/5265) and decorated (3.7%, or 193/5265) at higher rates than most other buildings on the IIB-2a plaza, percentages similar to IIB-2a-3, although with some important distinctions. First, HPPA and HPPB frequencies are more closely balanced (71 and 88 sherds, respectively) than in IIB-2a-3, and provincial plate designs and local incised decoration are completely absent. It is interesting to note that all decorated feature sherds identified by vessel type were narrow-mouth jars (8 decorated with HPPA, while 3 had HPPB designs), except for a single bowl fragment with unidentified decoration (two other sherds had “other” decoration but were not identified by vessel type). The presence of larger numbers of plates and bowls is interesting, given the lack of the plate or bowl decoration that may have been used to mark personal status and identity in other contexts. While nearly 80% of plates and bowls were slipped, the vessels are almost all undecorated.

This is interesting not only in comparison with IIB-2a-3 (which also had a much more dense artifact assemblage), but in light of the perceived artifact affinities between IIB-2a-6 and IIB-3a-3. These will be addressed below in the discussion of the latter building. It seems that the activities in this building may have been more closely associated with state styles. When excavating this building, one of us (Stein) reported the edge of a low bench or seat on the east wall of Sector M (fig. 7.38–40), which might suggest some sort of dormitory or reception function. Possibly, this building was also used in serving and consuming food cooked in another building (either under the sponsorship of local elites using the outer plaza, or imperial elites in the inner plaza area). The presence of complete maize cobs may suggest a ritual or special purpose use of the building, as maize would normally have been brought to Huánuco Pampa shelled to minimize carrying weight. The extensive evidence of primary cooking is not as widespread as in other buildings, although this may be attributable to sample size.

Figure 7.37. IIB-2a-6, Sector C.

Figure 7.38. IIB-2a-6, Sector M.

Figure 7.39. IIB-2a-6, Sector M, South Profile, showing stratigraphy of test unit.

Figure 7.40. Photograph of final Sector M excavation. Edge of small bench is visible in upper right corner. A test unit was placed in the unit center to determine whether earlier occupations were present.

TABLE 7.3: Ceramic Data from IIB-2a-5 and IIB-2a-6

IIB-2a-5 Int. A(a)

IIB-2a-5 Int. E(a)

IIB-2a-6 Int. C(a)

IIB-2a-6 Int. M(a)

Jars

189/267 (70.8%)

70/104 (67.3%)

179/323 (55.4%)

52/106 (49.1%)

Ollas

55/267 (20.6%)

23/104 (22.1%)

48/323 (14.9%)

20/106 (18.9%)

Bowls/plates

22/267 (8.2%)

7/104 (6.7%)

73/323 (22.6%)

26/106 (24.5%)

Slipping

170/282 (60.3%)

57/112 (50.9%)

208/345 (60.3%)

85/117 (72.6%)

Decoration

3/282 (1.1%)

2/112 (1.8%)

9/345 (2.6%)

6/117 (5.1%)

Carbon/soot

7/282 (2.5%)

6/112 (5.4%)

12/345 (3.5%)

7/117 (6.0%)

Grit-temper (NF)

1034/2250 (45.96%)

2871/5225 (54.95%)

1046/3044 (34.36%)

445/1251 (35.57%)

Mica-temper (NF)

855/2250 (38.00%)

1600/5225 (30.62%)

1207/3044 (39.65%)

674/1251 (53.88%)

Carbon-temper (NF)

257/2250 (11.42%)

463/5225 (8.86%)

430/3044 (14.13%)

56/1251 (4.48%)

(a)Proveniences: IIB-2a-5 Int. A: IIB117, IIB118, IIB119; IIB-2a-5 Int. E: IIB124, IIB125, IIB126, IIB127, IIB131; IIB-2a-6 Int. C: IIB120, IIB121, IIB122, IIB123; IIB-2a-6 Int. M: IIB128, IIB129, IIB130.

Area Overview

The excavations of buildings in the IIB-2a plaza group demonstrate some similarities with the large halls on the central plaza, but with evidence for activities (such as brewing) that were not conducted in those buildings. Patterns of slipping and decoration indicate a higher status for the IIB-2a group, although the presence of provincial Inka and local styles can be seen alongside a more pronounced imperial decoration of serving vessels. Food preparation was clearly an important activity in the plaza buildings, but there is some evidence for other activities—ritual deposits, possible spaces used for dormitories or for administrative activities, and some ambiguous evidence for craft production. Evidence of brewing is not found in every building, and it appears that for some activities food and drink would have been brought to the palace from elsewhere. While the plaza buildings were probably the most important spaces used to mobilize state events taking place in the palace, the smaller compounds lying off of the plaza were also important for administrative activities occurring in the palace.

CHAPTER 8: BUILDING SUMMARIES FROM ZONE IIB-2b AND IIB-2c

In contrast with the large structures surrounding the IIB-2a plaza, the buildings comprising the IIB-2b and IIB-2c groups are much smaller, built of lower-quality materials, and laid out around modest spaces. These parts of the palace were reached by passing through the IIB-2a plaza, although it is possible that the IIB-1c group could have provided direct access as well. Excavations in these groups revealed an artifact assemblage that is distinct from the dense deposits encountered in the IIB-2a buildings.

ZONE IIB-2b

Building IIB-2b-1

As already discussed (see IIB-1c-2), this building is one of several medium-sized buildings to the northwest of the outer plaza (figs. 8.1–3). A possible dormitory function has been suggested for some of these buildings, and IIB-2b-1 may provide the best case for inferring such use. Approximately 13.7 m2 of the building interior (about 17% of the total building area) was excavated, yielding 840 ceramic fragments, most of which were found near an interior wall around a circular vessel support. Except for some charred wood, no botanical remains were found in this building, nor were stone tools or spindle whorls present, although a small exterior excavation yielded two mortars and two pestles (as well as a small number of sherds).

The ceramic assemblage from this building is modest, much less dense than was observed in the plaza buildings. Because of the small number of feature sherds from interior contexts (n = 37), only general observations can be made about the pottery. First, the ceramics display a high percentage of slipping (58.7%, or 562/958), but a low incidence of decoration (0.6%, or 6/958), all of it HPPA. The proportions of the primary vessel categories were roughly as expected for the palace (jars 20/37, ollas 7/37, plates/bowls 6/37). A narrow-mouth jar and large platter were among the identified vessels associated with the earthen vessel support.

The paucity of artifacts, particularly those indicating food production and consumption, provide indirect evidence that this building was used for other activities, perhaps including dormitory functions. The interior of the building may have been plastered, a feature that was observed in other buildings of similar size, and one that would have moderated temperatures for more comfortable nighttime use. During the excavations three low platforms along the interior walls were noted, some of which are large enough for use as sleeping platforms. A crystal fragment was encountered on top of one of these. While buildings lacking benches certainly could have been used as dormitories for visitors to the site, the presence of such features may indicate a higher status context. In the IIB complex, benches were found inside buildings that are larger than would be expected for the residence of a low-status nuclear family, but these structures are also too small to accommodate large groups. Judging from access patterns and architecture in the Zone IIB compound, these structures may have been used by individuals visiting or serving in the palace (but of lower standing than the residents of the high status IIB-4 buildings).

Figure 8.1. IIB-2b-1 Sector C prior to excavation. Architectural preservation contrasts considerably with other parts of the Zone IIB compound.

Figure 8.2. IIB-2b-1, Exterior Unit East 5, West Profile.

Figure 8.3. IIB-2b-1, Exterior Unit East 5, South Profile.

Building IIB-2b-2

Building IIB-2b-2 displays many of the same characteristics of the structures already described as possible dormitories. An interior area of 11.6 m2 was excavated (approximately 16% of the total building area), as well as a 3.8 m2 exterior unit which was located between the southeast corner of the building and IIB-2b-1 (figs. 8.4–6). The majority of the artifacts were found in the smaller exterior unit (fig. 8.7), while little material was recovered in the building interior. The interior unit yielded only a small number of ceramic fragments (410 fragments), but the exterior unit contained 1059 sherds, as well as a stone jar support, two stone pestles, a spindle whorl, and some animal bone fragments. As with Building IIB-2b-1, the ceramics from the interior were slipped at a high frequency (55.5%, or 234/422), but without a correspondingly high percentage of decorated sherds (none were found in the interior).

The exterior unit (IIB-2b-2-205) contrasts with both building interiors (IIB-2b-1 and IIB-2b-2). The ceramics from this unit had less slipping than the IIB compound average (just under 45%, or 498/1120), but there were decorated sherds (53/1120, or 4.7% of the exterior ceramics), including HPPA (12), HHPB (22), HPPF (4), and 6 fragments of the local circular incised design. Although the HPPA and HPPB sherds were not identified by vessel type (they were likely to have been from jars or ollas), the HPPF fragment came from a serving platter (VTYPE 19), and the incised sherds came from a single large local jar (VTYPE 5). Like the interior ceramic sample, pottery from the exterior unit had a higher rate of burning or soot deposits than the IIB compound average (about 19%, or 11/59 for exterior), but no evidence of cooking or botanical remains other than charred wood were observed in any context. Faunal remains were absent except for some bones and teeth of unidentified large mammals, possibly associated with a Colonial disturbance of the interior space.

The sample of feature sherds is small for this area, but there seems to be an overall lower percentage of jar forms, while ollas, plates, and bowls are present within expected ranges. While sitting/sleeping platforms or interior plaster were not observed for this building, this may be due to a Colonial reuse of the building (a Spanish wall was encountered that cut across the interior unit). The small plaza associated with IIB-2b-1 and IIB-2b-2 appears to have been the site of food consumption, although there is little evidence of cooking inside the buildings. It is likely that other small buildings in this zone were used as domestic cooking spaces, employed for daily feeding of residents and ordinary visitors to the palace.

Figure 8.4. IIB-2b-2 excavation units.

Figure 8.5. Photograph of IIB-2b-2 excavations. The fine masonry wall of a nearby structure contrasts with the minimal architectural preservation found among the IIB-2b buildings.

Figure 8.6. IIB-2b-2, Sector C, North Profile.

Figure 8.7. IIB-2b-2, Exterior Unit East 2, South Profile.

TABLE 8.1: Ceramic Data from IIB-2b-1 and IIB-2b-2

IIB-2b-1 Int. C(a)

IIB-2b-1 Ext. 205(a)

IIB-2b-2 Int. C(a)

IIB-2b-2 Ext. 202(a)

Jars

21/37 (57%)

7/12 (58%)

9/27 (33%)

29/53 (55%)

Ollas

7/37 (19%)

3/12 (25%)

11/27 (41%)

12/53 (23%)

Bowls/plates

6/37 (16%)

2/12 (17%)

4/27 (15%)

7/53 (13%)

Slipping

23/37 (62%)

8/12 (67%)

18/27 (67%)

39/59 (66%)

Decoration

0

0

1/27 (4%)

6/59 (10%)

Carbon/soot

3/37 (8%)

2/12 (17%)

5/27 (19%)

11/59 (19%)

Grit-temper (NF)

409/803 (50.9%)

19/62 (31%)

212/383 (55.4%)

449/1000 (44.9%)

Mica-temper (NF)

379/803 (47.2%)

33/62 (53%)

135/383 (35.2%)

371/1000 (37.1%)

Carbon-temper (NF)

10/803 (12.5%)

1/62 (2%)

0

131/1000 (13.1%)

(a)Proveniences: IIB-2b-1 Int. C: IIB168, IIB169; IIB-2b-1 Ext. 205: IIB174; IIB-2b-2 Int. C: IIB166, IIB167; IIB-2b-2 Ext. 202: IIB170.

Building IIB-2b-4

One of the smallest buildings in the palace complex (with a total area of 28 m2), this structure may have had a different use from the buildings just discussed (figs. 8.8–9). The entire interior of the structure was excavated, an area of over 17 m2 that yielded an artifact assemblage much smaller than that from a small (1.8 × 1.8 m) exterior unit. Although 360 ceramic fragments were found inside the building, they came from two discrete concentrations, possibly representing the remains of only two vessels—a narrow-mouth jar and a small pitcher (Form 2; fig. 8.10). Besides these scarce ceramic remains, a stone pestle was encountered, as well as a ceramic fragment in the process of being worked into a spindle whorl.

The exterior unit was excavated to the southeast of the building, revealing a narrow entryway into the small plaza area, as well as 724 ceramic fragments (fig. 8.11–12). Of the 16 sherds identified by vessel type, 14 came from jars (12 narrow-mouth jar fragments, 2 from a local jar form), while the remaining two were from ollas. While plate and bowl fragments were encountered in the exterior unit located to the southwest of the building (unit IIB-2b-1-205), it seems that some sort of small-scale food and drink service was taking place in this small plaza. It is important to note that no evidence for cooking was found in the excavations inside the building.

In terms of function, it seems unlikely that a building this small would have been used as an elite sleeping area and the lack of evidence for cooking suggests a different function. This building may have been used for storage or craft production, or for some other purpose, but clear archaeological evidence for a particular function is lacking. The plaza area seems to have been used for consumption of foods by small groups of people.

Figure 8.8. IIB-2b-4 excavations.

Figure 8.9. IIB-2b-4 building interior excavations.

Figure 8.10. The neck of a Form 2 jar in situ. Little pottery was present in Building IIB-2b-4.

Figure 8.11. IIB-2b-4 excavation profiles.

Figure 8.12. IIB-2b-4 exterior unit.

Building IIB-2b-6

The final excavated building in the IIB-2b area, this structure is somewhat smaller than those identified as possible sleeping areas, yet its walls were plastered and a stone bench covered with red plaster was found along the entire south wall of the building (figs. 13–16). It is possible that the floor of this building may also have been plastered, an important contrast with other buildings in the palace. The stone bench could have been employed for sleeping, but its sloping surface and dimensions (4.15 × 0.70 m) seem to be more suitable for seating several people than serving as a bed. It may be that this building represents some sort of minor administrative building or audience area, where palace officials could meet or receive visitors.

Unfortunately, the artifact assemblage provides few clues as to the activities that occurred within this structure. Excavations were undertaken in the southern half of the building (approximately 11 m2 of the 27 m2 building interior), as well as in a small (2.1 × 1.5 m) exterior test unit at the northwest corner of the building. A total of 212 ceramic fragments was encountered (174 interior, 23 exterior), and the small number of feature sherds (n = 12) limits the statistical assessment of vessel distribution, although plates, ollas, and jars are all represented. The small amount of pottery seems to suggest that cooking and food service were not central functions of this building, and the fact that slipping is rare (13.2%, or 28/212) and decoration absent from the small collection would seem to support this.

Figure 8.13. IIB-2b-6 plan.

Figure 8.14. Interior bench found in Building IIB-2b-6.

Figure 8.15. IIB-2b-6, Sector B, South Profile.

Figure 8.16. IIB-2b-6, Exterior Unit West 2, North Profile.

TABLE 8.2: Ceramic Data from IIB-2b-4 and IIB-2b-6

IIB-2b-4 Int. A(a)

IIB-2b-4 Ext. 201(a)

IIB-2b-6 Int. B(a)

IIB-2b-6 Ext. 402(a)

Jars

11/11 (100%)

14/16 (88%)

8/10 (80%)

1/1 (100%)

Ollas

0

2/16 (13%)

1/10 (10%)

0

Bowls/plates

0

0

0

0

Slipping

7/11 (64%)

11/18 (61%)

5/10 (50%)

1/2 (50%)

Decoration

0

0

0

0

Carbon/soot

0

5/18 (28%)

0

0

Grit-temper (NF)

214/360 (59.4%)

222/724 (30.7%)

6/174 (3.4%)

7/23 (30%)

Mica-temper (NF)

140/360 (38.9%)

347/724 (47.9%)

6/174 (3.4%)

14/23 (61%)

Carbon-temper (NF)

2/360 (0.6%)

36/724 (5.0%)

0

0

(a)Proveniences: IIB-2b-4 Int. A: IIB173; IIB-2b-4 Ext. 201: IIB186; IIB-2b-6 Int. B: IIB176; IIB-2b-6 Ext. 402: IIB171.

Overview

The buildings of the IIB-2b group share an important feature that distinguishes them from other parts of the IIB compound: substantially more material was discarded outside of buildings than was deposited in interior spaces. This may indicate that these buildings were cleaned more assiduously than other parts of the palace, but interior excavations did not encounter clear evidence of hearths or other food preparation activities. Both interior and exterior contexts lacked significant botanical and faunal samples, as well as grinding stones, while portable ground-stone tools (especially mortars and pestles) tended to be found in exterior contexts. These patterns contrast with the contexts excavated in Zone IIB-1 and Zone IIB-2a.

ZONE IIB-2c

Building IIB-2c-1

Given its small size (10 × 4.5 m) and the fact that it appears to share a wall with IIB-2a-5, this building seems to be an outbuilding added to serve the administrative-residential area of the palace (figs. 8.17–18). A central transect of the building interior was excavated, comprising a total area of 14 m2 (a sample of 50% of the interior space) in which ceramics (1093 sherds), charred wood, and a grinding stone were found (fig. 8.19). In addition, a large (approximately 10 m2) exterior test unit (IIB-2c-1-401) was excavated to the northwest of the building in the space between it and IIB-2c-2, revealing more stone tools (grinders and a pestle), pottery (434 sherds), and a crystal fragment (fig. 8.20–22). It is interesting to note that no spindle whorls were found in either context, since they are found in several buildings around the IIB-2a and IIB-3a plazas.

The samples of feature sherds from the interior and exterior contexts (67 and 45 fragments, respectively) are small enough that they are combined for analysis. From this we can see an overall low frequency of slipped sherds (29.13%, or 446/1531) and decorated ceramics (0.39%, or 6/1531). In terms of vessel categories, jars are present in lower percentages than the IIB compound average (45%, or 50/111), while plates and bowls (22.5%, or 25/111) and ollas (29%, or 32/111) make up larger than average proportions of the sample. The lack of large narrow-mouth jars (especially those decorated with imperial motifs) indicates that this building was not used primarily to stage large, state-sponsored events. Instead, the ceramic evidence points to small-scale cooking and consumption. While Huánuco Pampa Polychrome variants were encountered here (3 fragments of HPPA, 2 of HPPB), it is worth noting that the only decorated sherd identified by vessel type was from a small olla rather than a serving jar. A single fragment with the circular incised design constitutes the sole evidence for local decorative motifs. Several bird-handled plate fragments were found in the excavation, but none had painted decoration. It is also interesting that the plate/bowl component in this building includes more individual bowllike vessels than large platterlike serving plates.

In terms of other functions, the lack of botanical remains does not help us in the identification of possible cooking areas, although the presence of grinding stones and some bone might suggest food preparation, and there was a small sample of burnt or sooty feature sherds (11/111). If this structure had a special purpose besides food preparation or service, it may not have been important or permanent, given that the packed-earth floor of the building was barely distinguishable. This would have been a late addition to the palace, and its dimensions and orientation are unlike that of neighboring structures. It can probably be classified as some sort of ancillary structure built to meet the needs of the administrative residents of the palace, possibly as a cooking or food service area attached to the IIB-2c plaza area.

Figure 8.17. IIB-2c-1 excavations.

Figure 8.18. Photograph of Building IIB-2c-1 excavations. The structure shares a wall with Building IIB-2a-5.

Figure 8.19. IIB-2c-1, Sector B, East Profile.

Figure 8.20. Exterior West 1, showing wall remains from IIB-2c-2.

Figure 8.21. IIB-2c-1, Exterior Unit West 1, East Profile.

Figure 8.22. Crystal fragment recovered from West 1 (scale = 3 cm).

Building IIB-2c-2

With over 180 m2 of interior space, this IIB-2c-2 is the largest structure located among the small plaza groups lying to the north of the IIB-2a plaza group (figs. 8.23–24). Two interior transects—a total area of 46.3 m2 (a sample of just over 25%)—were excavated, indicating a function similar to, yet at a smaller scale than, the large plaza buildings (figs. 8.25–27). A substantial sample of ceramic fragments was encountered (5388 sherds, or 67.5 kg), as well as vessel supports, four spindle whorls, two stone grinders, a mortar, two pestles, three stone knives, and samples of burnt animal bone. Despite the presence of burnt animal bone, there was an absence of botanical remains other than burnt wood.

In addition to the artifact evidence for cooking and spinning, two stone constructions were present in one of the interior units. These appear to be small low platforms in the center of the building interior, probably too small (1.60 × 0.60 m and 1.15 × 0.70 m) and unfinished (i.e., unplastered, with uneven stonework) to be used for sleeping. Their placement close to a doorway and in the center of the room would not be convenient or efficient if this building were to be used as sleeping quarters for large numbers of people. These platforms could have been used in food preparation or craft production.

The ceramics from the building demonstrate the same general characteristics as those in other buildings from this area: an overall smaller jar component (48%, or 38/80), with slightly higher levels of ollas (20%, or 16/80) and a strong component of plates and bowls (28%, or 22/80). In addition, there was an overall low incidence of vessel slipping (16.0%, or 228/1425), and only six decorated sherds were encountered (from a random sample of 1081). Given the vessel distribution, it is not surprising that all decorated sherds were plates or bowls, and that these designs were provincial Inka. Among plates and bowls, individual serving bowls were encountered, as well as some large serving-platter fragments.

In the unit associated with the two stone platforms, jar fragments were over three times as abundant as plate/bowl fragments (24/7), while both categories were present in nearly equal numbers in the other transect (14/15). All spindle whorls were found associated with the stone platforms, while almost all ground stone tools (except for one stone knife: fig. 8.28) were found in the other unit, where the burnt animal bone was encountered. It seems that this building had an area devoted to serving food, particularly meat, as well as another used for some other activity, one that would have allowed spinning to be done simultaneously. It may be that the whole building was used in food service, and that the small plaza to the east was used by palace residents for everyday eating. The complete lack of Cusco imperial decoration suggests this was a context where the communication of state patronage was not emphasized; the presence of meat (including deer and camelid) attests to the higher status of the people consuming food here. As a final note, 56 fragments of the rare black-washed paste (PTYPE 11) were encountered in this building. These are present in only five structures in the palace: IIB-1b-1 (53 fragments), IIB-1b-2 (2 fragments), IIB-2c-2, IIB-2c-5 (33 fragments) and IIB-3a-5 (3 fragments). The distribution of this paste seems to be a clue in the identification of local administrative spaces in the palace.

Figure 8.23. IIB-2c-2, Sector A.

Figure 8.24. Photograph of Sector A excavations.

Figure 8.25. IIB-2c-2, Sector A, South Profile.

Figure 8.26. IIB-2c-2, Sector C.

Figure 8.27. IIB-2c-2, Sector C Profile.

Figure 8.28. Stone blade worked for use as a knife (scale = 5 cm).

TABLE 8.3: Ceramic Data from IIB-2c-1 and IIB-2c-2

IIB-2c-1 Int. B(a)

IIB-2c-1 Ext. 401(a)

IIB-2c-2 Int. A(a)

IIB-2c-2 Int. C(a)

Jars

33/66 (50%)

18/45 (40%)

15/39 (38%)

25/41 (61%)

Ollas

20/66 (30%)

12/45 (27%)

8/39 (21%)

8/41 (20%)

Bowls/plates

13/66 (20%)

12/45 (27%)

15/39 (38%)

7/41 (17%)

Slipping

35/67 (52%)

20/45 (44%)

18/40 (45%)

16/48 (33%)

Decoration

1/67 (1%)

0

4/40 (10%)

0

Carbon/soot

5/67 (7%)

6/45 (13%)

3/40 (8%)

4/48 (8%)

Grit-temper (NF)

523/916 (57.1%)

152/355 (42.8%)

N/A

555/993 (55.9%)

Mica-temper (NF)

317/916 (34.6%)

148/355 (41.7%)

N/A

184/993 (18.5%)

Carbon-temper (NF)

46/916 (5.0%)

16/355 (4.5%)

N/A

1/993 (0.1%)

(a)Proveniences: IIB-2c-1 Int. B: IIB178; IIB-2c-1 Ext. 401: IIB179; IIB-2c-2 Int. A: IIB188; IIB-2c-2 Int. C: IIB180, IIB181.

Building IIB-2c-3

Facing IIB-2c-2 on the eastern side of the IIB-2c plaza, this building is somewhat smaller (104 m2), but appears to have had a similar function (figs. 8.29–30). A single transect (17.5 m2) in the southern corner of the building yielded a similar artifact assemblage that included ceramics (3165 sherds, or 57.8 kg), two spindle whorls, and a number of ground stone tools, including grinders, mortar, and pestles (fig. 8.31). Inka contexts had been disturbed by Colonial reoccupation of the structure, which may have been associated with the use of a nearby chapel (located in Zone IIA). Like its plaza counterparts, this building has fewer sherds that are slipped (36.5%, or 384/1052) or decorated (1.0%, or 11/1052). The decorated sherds are distinct from those in IIB-2c-2, however, in that Cusco-style imperial decoration was found on a narrow-mouth jar fragment with the HPPB design, as well as nine “Cusco Red-on-White” sherds.

Vessel frequencies from Building IIB-2c-3 are similar to what has been observed in nearby structures. Lower percentages of jars (39%, or 17/44) are accompanied by higher frequencies of ollas (32%, or 14/44) and plates and bowls (23%, or 10/44). This part of the palace has a much lower incidence of imperial narrow-mouth jar forms (28% for the first three buildings of the IIB-2c group, compared to 43.8% for the IIB compound), and seems to have more individual bowls and fewer large serving platters. These characteristics suggest a different kind of vessel use, possibly by a different group of palace visitors, than was seen in the large IIB-2a plaza.

Figure 8.29. IIB-2c-3, Sector F.

Figure 8.30. Photograph of Sector F excavations.

Figure 8.31. IIB-2c-3 Sector F, South Profile.

Building IIB-2c-4

This building may be a storage structure associated with the main plaza group (IIB-2a), but a Colonial reoccupation of the building obscured evidence of its primary entryway—that is, whether it was entered from the IIB-2a plaza or from the IIB-2c side. Although it is grouped with the administrative-residential complex, this building is located just off the large plaza, like IIB-2a-1. About the same size as IIB-2a-1 (with an interior area of 136 m2), this building had a single interior unit excavated, a total area of 14 m2 (figs. 8.32–34). Unlike its counterpart, IIB-2c-4 yielded few artifacts: only 151 ceramic fragments (3.1 kg), a single stone mortar, and some animal bone (which appears to be associated with the Colonial occupation). No botanical remains or spindle whorls were found in the excavations.

While few artifacts were found, the excavations encountered a packed-earth floor close to the interior walls and pebble paving in the center of the building (see Morris, 1967: 203–204). This pattern is not seen in any other palace building, but it is reminiscent of the rectangular storage buildings at the site, which have an area of rock and earth floor and a sloping stone floor drainage (Morris, 1967: 191). If this building was used for storage, it was substantially larger than the typical storage building.

Although the ceramic sample is small—with only 15 feature sherds identified by vessel type—it may also support a storage function. First, the assemblage consisted mostly of narrow-mouth jars (10/15), with the remaining sherds coming from plate (1), bowl (2), and olla (2). The collection had a high frequency of slipping (56%, or 88/156) and decoration (4.5%, or 7/156), which contrasts with the unslipped and undecorated storage jars that predominated the Zone VIII storage complex. At least some of the decorated sherds came from a narrow-mouth jar, but were not imperial Inka designs. The sample size is limited, but the frequency of narrow-mouth jars is not unlike that seen in the site’s storage buildings, where over 90% of the identified ceramics were from narrow-mouth jars (the rest being small pots, plates, and bowls, with an absence of large pots or wide-mouth jars) (Morris and Thompson, 1985: 77).

Figure 8.32. IIB-2c-4, Sector D.

Figure 8.33. Photograph of Sector D. Note the use of a pebble pavement for the building floor.

Figure 8.34. IIB2c-4, Sector D, West Profile.

Building IIB-2c-5

The final excavated structure in the IIB-2 group, this small building appears to be a cooking area, probably associated with the IIB-2c plaza group. When excavated, it was originally thought that this structure was a small platform, and a 1.00 × 7.05 m cross-trench was excavated through the middle of it. This test trench revealed a small square structure (4.85 × 4.85 m of interior space) with a doorway opening north onto the smaller plaza (figs. 8.35–37). In addition to a large collection of ceramics (2662 sherds, or 51.6 kg), carbonized maize, wood and cord were found, as well as a single spindle whorl, ground stone tools, and burnt bones of guinea pig (cuy) and other animals. Burnt maize was found associated with an area with a hearth and a small platform of burnt rocks, which indicate that cooking took place in the building.

The ceramics from the test trench provide the vessel component missing from the other IIB-2c buildings (especially jar forms). Jars were present in abundance (65%, or 60/93) and all jar types were identified, while the frequencies of ollas (16%, or 15/93) and plates and bowls (18%, or 17/93) hovered around expected frequencies. As noted for the other plaza buildings, smaller plates and individual bowls were more common than large platters, while narrow-mouth jars, not common in the other buildings, were prevalent. The ceramics were often slipped (43.2%, or 643/1489) and a relatively large number (5.0%, or 74/1489) came from decorated vessels or rare pastes. Thirty-three fragments of the rare black-washed paste were found here, and as noted above others were present in the plaza group. In addition, HPPA was present (19 fragments, at least 1 from a narrow-mouth jar), as well as HPPB (7 fragments, 1 from a plate), circular incised designs (2 fragments) and Jauja Inka provincial designs (possibly seen on a plate, a narrow-mouth jar, and an olla).

In terms of function, the small size of the building, its location and orientation, and the artifacts found within all indicate that cooking was taking place, probably the kind of daily cooking associated with the administrative-residential plaza. In times of larger events in that area, other ancillary structures might have been employed. The presence of guinea pig bone points toward a more permanent, domestic-level cooking activity, and meat-eating here may have met a variety of social functions.

Figure 8.35. IIB-2c-5, Cross-trench A.

Figure 8.36. Photograph of Cross-trench A.

Figure 8.37. IIB-2c-5, Cross-trench A, East Profile.

TABLE 8.4: Ceramic Data from IIB-2C-3, IIB-2C-4, and IIB-2C-5

IIB-2c-3 Int. F(a)

IIB-2c-4 Int. D(a)

IIB-2c-5 Int. A(a)

IIB-2c-5 Ext. 103(a)

Jars

17/44 (39%)

10/15 (67%)

49/80 (61%)

11/13 (85%)

Ollas

14/44 (32%)

2/15 (13%)

15/80 (19%)

0

Bowls/plates

10/44 (23%)

3/15 (20%)

15/80 (19%)

2/13 (15%)

Slipping

20/47 (43%)

12/17 (71%)

54/83 (65%)

9/13 (69%)

Decoration

1/47 (2%)

3/17 (18%)

6/83 (7%)

0

Carbon/soot

7/47 (15%)

0

7/83 (8%)

0

Grit-temper (NF)

501/797 (62.9%)

25/130 (19.2%)

657/1172 (56.06%)

49/119 (41.2%)

Mica-temper (NF)

211/797 (26.5%)

76/130 (58.5%)

350/1172 (29.86%)

56/119 (47.1%)

Carbon-temper (NF)

52/797 (6.5%)

16/130 (12.3%)

31/1172 (2.65%)

8/119 (6.7%)

(a)Proveniences: IIB-2c-3 Int. F: IIB191, IIB192; IIB-2c-4 Int. D: IIB189, IIB190; IIB-2c-5 Int. A: IIB183, IIB184; IIB-2c-5 Ext. 103: IIB185.

Overview

The excavations of the IIB-2c buildings exhibit a range of activities possibly including food preparation and storage—the latter function is not demonstrated unambiguously. It is worth noting that the scale of cooking activities, and the status of the overall artifact assemblage, is not at the level seen in the IIB-2a plaza, and that the buildings seem to have been used for different purposes than those of the nearby IIB-2b group. It is possible that the IIB-2b and IIB-2c areas provided the necessary domestic, administrative, and social spaces for palace personnel, people of sufficient status to gain access to the IIB compound, but in the kinds of “behind the scenes” contexts that one might expect for servants and lower order members of an elite retinue. These buildings and artifact assemblages contrast with the archaeological signature found in more restricted parts of the palace.

CHAPTER 9: BUILDING SUMMARIES FROM ZONE IIB-3

The IIB-3a plaza group is reached by passing through a single set of gateways leading from the IIB-2a plaza (fig. 9.1). With an area of about 2000 m2, the IIB-3a plaza is much smaller than the Zone I plaza (19.3 ha) and the IIB-2a plaza (1 ha), and the five buildings surrounding it are correspondingly of a more modest size (fig. 9.2). This group of buildings appears to have been more intensively occupied than most parts of the site. Cobblestone flooring and small drainage canals were found in exterior units associated with the plaza buildings, a feature seen in the large halls on the central plaza, as well as some buildings in Zone IIB-2a. Excavation was conducted in all buildings, yielding a massive sample of artifacts. In addition limited excavations were made in one building in the neighboring IIB-3b area, which is also discussed in this chapter.

Figure 9.1. Gateway from the IIB-2a plaza to the IIB-3a plaza. Note the carved feline figures on the portal—such stonework is found on the plaza gateways and the ushnu platform.

Figure 9.2. IIB-3a-1 excavation plan. The concentration of vessel supports suggests an intensive production of maize beer in this building.

Building IIB-3a-1

This building forms the south side of the IIB-3a plaza. Like the other IIB-3a plaza buildings, it is smaller than most of the IIB-2a plaza buildings. A sample of 1/6 of the interior space (about 39 m2 of the total interior area of 237 m2) was excavated in the eastern end of the structure, as well as four exterior units: one to the west of the building, one to the south, and two to the east (a total area of 11.1 m2). This building shows evidence of greater construction investment than other buildings at the site, with evidence of plaster on the interior walls exposed by excavations, and a paved exterior space at the rear of the building that was drained by a small canal.

The differences in artifact assemblage highlight some important functional characteristics of both the building and its associated exterior spaces. One important distinction is artifact density—excavations uncovered approximately 425 kg of ceramic fragments, of which an estimated total of over 24,000 sherds came from the interior (while 2824 were found in the exterior test units). Not only was ceramic density higher for the interior area, but ground-stone tools, spindle whorls, and botanical remains (including burnt grass and rope) were present in much greater density than in the exterior units. For example, of the 33 spindle whorls encountered, 31 came from the interior unit, as did the majority (12/15) of the grinding stones, stone knives (e.g., fig. 9.4), mortars and pestles identified. On the basis of the density and nature of the artifact assemblage, it appears that this building was used for cooking, but its primary function appears to have been brewing.

As discussed already, the artifact assemblage indicating brewing should include maize remains, a significant presence of grinding stones, as well as a high frequency of both wide-mouth jars for cooking the beverage and narrow-mouth jars used in fermentation. Although jars (particularly the Form 1 narrow-mouth jar) were actually present in somewhat lower frequency inside the building (52.8%, or 325/616), there was a strong component of wide-mouth jars (16.9%, or 104/616) and jar lids (n = 24), which would support the identification of this building as an area where the preliminary stages of maize brewing occurred. The presence of at least 10 large earthen jar supports in an area of burnt earth near remains of carbonized maize indicates a scale of maize beer production not seen in other parts of the palace (fig. 9.3). The fermentation of this beverage may have taken place in another building in this plaza group, and the service and consumption of the beverage probably could have taken place throughout the palace.

The ceramic assemblage points away from an elite serving and feasting function. Although ollas and plates/bowls were present in roughly expected frequencies (25.3%, or 156/616; and 15.7%, or 97/616), the frequency of slipping (40.2%, or 4746/11819) and decoration (1.26%, or 149/11819, including 52 “Red-on-White” sherds) in the total assemblage reveals low percentages of the kinds of fancy ceramics expected at public events or in high status contexts. An interesting distinction can be made between decorated ceramics found in interior and exterior proveniences. The building interior had a mixture of imperial and local decorative styles (5 Huánuco Pampa Polychrome A, including 1 narrow-mouth jar; 6 HPPF, including 1 plate; 8 circular incised, including one local jar; and 9 “other” sherds, including a plate and a pedestal-base cooking olla), while the exterior sample had more imperial designs (47 HPPA and 17 HPPB), of which those identified were from narrow-mouth jars (6 HPPA and 3 HPPB) (fig. 9.5). A fragment from a narrow-mouth jar with circular incisions was encountered in one exterior unit, as well as fragments of a plate and pedestal-base olla decorated with “other” designs.

In terms of function, this building displays strong evidence for a large-scale specialized brewing activity, supervised by women, evidenced by the presence of a woman’s shawl pin (tupu; fig. 9.6). As will be seen, other buildings in this plaza area may have been used for more advanced stages in fermentation; still others were used to coordinate food consumption. This building also has evidence of small-scale cooking (fragments of maize-toasting ceramics, for example), and the discovery of decorated olla forms may indicate that everyday cooking for important elites was taking place there as well.

Figure 9.3. Photograph of vessel supports in Unit F.

Figure 9.4. Stone knife from Building IIB-3a-1 (scale = 5 cm).

Figure 9.5. Non-imperial pottery from Building IIB-3a-1 (scale = 10 cm).

Figure 9.6. A woman’s shawl pin (tupu) from Building IIB-3a-1 (scale = 5 cm).

TABLE 9.1: Ceramic Data from IIB-3a-1 Interior

IIB-3a-1 Int. F(a)

Jars

337/616 (54.7%)

Ollas

156/616 (25.3%)

Bowls/plates

97/616 (15.7%)

Slipping

379/650 (58.3%)

Decoration

10/650 (1.5%)

Carbon/soot

35/650 (5.4%)

Grit-temper (NF)

3946/7153 (55.17%)

Mica-temper (NF)

1996/7153 (27.90%)

Carbon-temper (NF)

122/7153 (1.71%)

(a)Proveniences: IIB-3a-1 Int. F: IIB054, IIB055, IIB056, IIB057, IIB058, IIB059.

TABLE 9.2: Ceramic Data from IIB-3a-1 Exterior Units

IIB-3a-1 Ext. 203(a)

IIB-3a-1 Ext. 204(a)

9)IIB-3a-1 Ext. 323(a)

Jars

47/84 (56%)

14/37 (38%)

33/54 (61%)

Ollas

20/84 (24%)

14/37 (38%)

12/54 (22%)

Bowls/plates

13/84 (15%)

7/37 (19%)

6/54 (11%)

Slipping

44/84 (52%)

16/37 (43%)

33/57 (58%)

Decoration

5/84 (6%)

2/37 (5%)

4/57 (7%)

Carbon/soot

7/84 (8%)

3/37 (8%)

3/57 (5%)

Grit-temper (NF)

492/1099 (44.77%)

112/520 (21.5%)

193/586 (32.9%)

Mica-temper (NF)

516/1099 (46.95%)

379/520 (72.9%)

268/586 (45.7%)

Carbon-temper (NF)

50/1099 (4.55%)

13/520 (2.5%)

23/586 (3.9%)

(a)Proveniences: IIB-3a-1 Ext. 203: IIB060, IIB061; IIB-3a-1 Ext. 204: IIB063; IIB-3a-1 Ext. 323: IIB064, IIB065; IIB-3a-1 Ext. 407: IIB066, IIB067.

Building IIB-3a-2

Located on the western side of the IIB-3a plaza, this building provides us with additional evidence of maize beer production. During the excavation of one corner of the structure, a circular stone feature with about five clay vessel supports was encountered, identified by local workers as an enclosure used in the fermentation process. As will be discussed, this identification is substantiated by the artifact evidence, which allows the identification of multiple activity areas.

Like IIB-3a-1, the interior walls of this structure were plastered. About 30% of the interior area of the building was excavated in three transects, a total excavation area of about 76 m2 (of the total area of 254 m2). The artifact assemblage was impressive—approximately 17,000 ceramic fragments, 10 ground stone tools, and 7 spindle whorls (fig. 9.7)—yet considerably less than that seen in the major cooking areas of both plazas. Of the three transects, one (A) was associated with the “fermentation chamber” already described, while the others (D, I) show evidence for other kinds of food preparation and service. In order to highlight the differences in function between these areas, each transect will be considered separately.

Transect A, located in the south corner of the building, contained the smallest sample of pottery (about 2400 sherds, of which 1830 were analyzed) of the three units, as well as the possible circular brewing feature. About 2 m in diameter, it consisted of a ring of stones lined with clay. The floor of the feature was burnt, and had several circular vessel supports (fig. 9.8). A small amount of pottery (126 sherds) was found inside the feature, and none of these was decorated. The vessel forms encountered within the feature included various sizes of olla (VTYPE 6 and 8), which would not have been the vessels for which the circular supports were constructed. Overall, the feature seems to indicate that some sort of large-scale heating or cooking was taking place, perhaps brewing related. There is a strong association of jar forms with this feature. Of the ceramics identified outside of the feature, 81% (or 58/72) were from narrow-mouth or wide-mouth jars (VTYPE 1 and 3: fig. 9.9), while ollas and plates/bowls were present in lower than average percentages (9% and 4%, respectively). Except for some bits of burnt rope, no botanical remains were observed, and the lack of spindle whorls and ground-stone tools may indicate that activities associated with the feature did not permit spinning to take place. A metal knife was also found in the unit.

It is possible either that the circular feature was reused as some sort of hearth, or that its Inka use involved heating liquids and transferring them to large jars. Decorated sherds in this unit included three fragments of HPPA (all associated with a small pitcher/serving jar), 170 fragments of HPPB (which included pieces of several narrow-mouth jars), and a small olla decorated with a modeled feline as its handle (fig. 9.10). Given the distinctions in Inka polychrome decoration in the two plaza areas, the decorated pottery from this area resembles contexts from the IIB-2a excavations more than that seen in other IIB-3a buildings. This decorative association is not present in the other transects of IIB-3a-2.

Transect D was of the same dimensions as Transect A, but had nearly three times the number of ceramic fragments (almost 6900 sherds). In addition, this unit had several ground-stone tools (mostly grinders and grinding stones) and a piece of maize-toasting ceramic (fig. 9.11). The presence of such implements could indicate food preparation, and the vessel type frequencies suggest that serving and consumption were not important activities. Jars were dominant (72%, or 88/122), with a significant olla component (17%, or 21/122), but few plates and bowls (4%, or 5/122). As was seen in Transect A, jar forms tended not to be diverse, with Inka narrow-mouth and wide-mouth jars constituting the only forms. The presence of a large component of wide-mouth jars may indicate a similar function to that of Building IIB-3a-1.

In addition, the frequency of decoration and slipping is much lower than for the other transects, with only 0.6% (or 17/2779) of analyzed sherds decorated (compared with 10.6%, or 194/1830, in Transect A). Although sherds throughout the building are highly slipped overall (57.1%, or 3846/6731), this transect has a somewhat lower frequency (48.0%, or 1335/2779). Of the 17 decorated sherds, 11 were “Cusco Red-on-White,” while the remaining six sherds were HPPA (3 from the same narrow-mouth jar).

The absence of a strong HPPB component is also seen in Transect I, which had the largest ceramic sample of the three units (over 7700 sherds, of which 2122 were analyzed). Contrasting with the central unit just discussed, this unit, located in the north corner of the building, had a high frequency of decorated pottery (8.0%, or 169/2122; fig. 9.12). Unlike the unit in the southern corner, these were dominated by HPPA (145 sherds, including examples from several narrow-mouth jars), with small components of HPPB (14 sherds, some from narrow-mouth jars), and other designs. The frequency of slipping (60.5%, or 1284/2122) is high, but still lower than seen in Transect A (67.0%, or 1227/1830).

Vessel forms found in this transect similar to those seen in the other two, although they are perhaps less extremely jar oriented. Jars are still abundant (67%, or 118/176), but the local jar form is present in small numbers along with the imperial forms already discussed above. Fragments from ollas (18%, or 31/176) and plates/bowls (11%, or 20/176) are still less common than the IIB compound average, but present in greater abundance than in the other transects. The presence of an area of burnt earth and animal bone and antler fragments suggests that this area may have been used for elite cooking functions. Because five spindle whorls were found, this may have been an area where women carried out food preparation that left them free to spin. In addition to evidence of food preparation, some unusual artifacts were recovered from this unit, including a small feline figurine and what appears to be a mold of some sort (figs. 9.13–14).

In summary, this building seems to have had multiple uses. While one area may have been used for fermenting maize beer and transferring it into serving vessels (some of which may have been taken to the IIB-2a plaza for consumption), the center of the building appears to have been used for preparing maize foods, perhaps including the initial stage of brewing. Finally the northern end of the building was used for cooking, including the preparation of meat for the residents of the higher status part of the palace.

Figure 9.7. Broken ceramic spindle whorl from Building IIB-3a-2 interior (scale = 5 cm).

Figure 9.8. Vessel support found in Unit I, with a Form 1 narrow-mouth jar neck in situ.

Figure 9.9. Neck from Inka Form 1 jar from Building IIB-3a-2 (scale = 10 cm).

Figure 9.10. Olla fragment with feline handle, found in Unit A (scale = 10 cm).

Figure 9.11. Fragment of maize-parching vessel from Building IIB-3a-2 (scale = 5 cm).

Figure 9.12. Inka bird-head plate fragment from Unit I (scale = 5 cm).

Figure 9.13. Feline figurine recovered from Unit I (scale = 3 cm).

Figure 9.14. Possible mold found in Unit I (scale = 5 cm). Its exact form and function are unclear.

TABLE 9.3: Ceramic Data from IIB-3a-2

IIB-3a-2 Int. A(a)

IIB-3a-2 Int. D(a)

IIB-3a-2 Int. I(a)

Jars

60/78 (77%)

89/122 (73%)

121/176 (68.8%)

Ollas

12/78 (15%)

21/122 (17%)

31/176 (17.6%)

Bowls/plates

3/78 (4%)

5/122 (4%)

20/176 (11.4%)

Slipping

48/81 (59%)

76/129 (59%)

116/186 (62.4%)

Decoration

10/81 (12%)

1/129 (1%)

10/186 (5.4%)

Carbon/soot

2/81 (2%)

4/129 (3%)

6/186 (3.2%)

Grit-temper (NF)

437/1486 (29.41%)

1021/2284 (44.70%)

608/1543 (39.40%)

Mica-temper (NF)

878/1486 (59.08%)

790/2284 (34.59%)

646/1543 (41.87%)

Carbon-temper (NF)

25/1486 (1.68%)

418/2284 (18.30%)

126/1543 (8.17%)

(a)Proveniences: IIB-3a-2 Int. A: IIB069, IIB070, IIB210; IIB-3a-2 Int. D: IIB071, IIB072, IIB073.

Building IIB-3a-3

Located on the north side of the IIB-3a plaza, this building may have been used for temporary food storage and imperial cooking (perhaps brewing related). Although its architecture was altered by Colonial reuse, this structure had well-preserved Inka contexts, excavated in three interior units—a total of about 78 m2 of the building’s 259 m2 interior (figs. 9.15–16). The doorway of Sector D had a bench or platform feature built around stairs leading into the structure, around which several decorated vessels were found smashed (figs. 9.17–18). Although the interior units do not display such strong functional distinctions as were seen for IIB-3a-2, it is possible to note some possible activity areas for the building.

The excavations yielded a rich artifact assemblage, including ceramics (nearly 14,000 sherds, or almost 250 kg), several ground-stone tools (probably related to maize grinding), a single spindle whorl, and samples of burnt maize, animal bone, wood, and straw. The ceramics in this building included more slipped (50.0%, or 3803/7615) and decorated (3.72%, or 284/7615) sherds than were seen in most of the palace buildings identified as having a major cooking function. Decorated motifs were almost exclusively associated with narrow-mouth jars, and HPPB was the dominant imperial decorative style (with 200 sherds, compared with just 13 sherds of HPPA). The only other decorative style was found on a large platter. The distinction between HPPA- and HPPB-dominated decorative assemblages may indicate that different buildings on the IIB-3a plaza were used to prepare for different events in the two plaza areas.

In terms of vessel identifications, this building had high frequencies of jar forms throughout (70.3%, or 339/482; fig. 9.19). As with some of the other “imperial” areas of the palace, jar forms were limited to imperial types, with narrow-mouth jars especially prominent. The central excavation unit in the building (Transect G: fig. 9.20) had a particularly high percentage of narrow-mouth jars (59%, or 135/229), including fragments of one jar that were found associated with a clay vessel support and scattered maize remains. Given Morris’ (1967) identification of this jar type as a common storage vessel, it is possible that this building was used to store food, or that stored food was brought here in preparation for public events. Another indicator of possible storage function was the high percentage of jar lids (6%, or 13/229, in Transect G), which would be important for preserving foodstuffs that had been brought from the specialized storage zone to be processed for palace consumption.

Transect I also showed evidence of narrow-mouth jars, some decorated, which were found in association with areas of darkened earth and at least one vessel earthen vessel support (fig. 9.21) The close association of grinding stones with these vessels may indicate that this building was at least one of the places where maize was brought to be prepared for fermentation. The excavation of the building doorway revealed a small platform to the side of the building entrance, which the excavator interpreted as a place where vessels or goods brought to the building could be left for workers inside. The paucity of spindle whorls may indicate that activities carried out here (e.g., the grinding of maize) were of a kind that would not leave time for spinning, or that they represent gendered work not done by women.

Ollas were present at levels comparable to the IIB compound average (18.3%, or 88/482), and it is interesting to note that these tend to be of low diversity in terms of the vessel forms represented. Animal bone was found in both burnt and unburnt form, suggesting that meat may have been butchered and roasted in this structure. On a final note, plates and bowls were scarce in this building, comprising just 6.2% (30/482) of the ceramic assemblage. Unlike the administrative-residential area north of the IIB-2a plaza, bowl fragments were almost completely absent (only three sherds were identified), with plates (and some platters) constituting the majority of the sample. This may be due to the use of nonceramic vessels for individual portions in the most elite part of the palace. While lower-status administrators and visitors communicated their status through the use of fancy regional Inka plates and bowls, the most important elites may have used metal vessels, a practice noted by several chroniclers.

Figure 9.15. IIB-3a-3, Sector D.

Figure 9.16. IIB-3a-3, Sector D Interior.

Figure 9.17. IIB-3a-3 doorway.

Figure 9.18. IIB-3a-3 doorway.

Figure 9.19. Inka Form 1 jar neck from Building IIB-3a-3 (scale = 10 cm).

Figure 9.20. IIB-3a-3, Sector G.

Figure 9.21. IIB-3a-3, Sector I.

TABLE 9.4: Ceramic Data from IIB-3a-3

IIB-3a-3 Int. D(a)

IIB-3a-3 Int. G(a)

IIB-3a-3 Int. I(a)

Jars

167/217 (77.0%)

156/229 (68.1%)

24/36 (67%)

Ollas

37/217 (17.1%)

41/229 (17.9%)

10/36 (28%)

Bowls/plates

10/217 (4.6%)

19/229 (8.3%)

2/36 (6%)

Slipping

137/228 (60.1%)

153/240 (63.8%)

24/36 (67%)

Decoration

4/228 (1.8%)

3/240 (1.3%)

3/36 (8%)

Carbon/soot

2/228 (0.9%)

2/240 (0.8%)

3/36 (8%)

Grit-temper (NF)

1045/2077 (50.31%)

1846/3853 (47.91%)

159/323 (49.2%)

Mica-temper (NF)

685/2077 (32.98%)

1449/3853 (37.61%)

49/323 (15.2%)

Carbon-temper (NF)

133/2077 (6.40%)

58/3853 (1.51%)

2/323 (0.6%)

(a)Proveniences: IIB-3a-3 Int. D: IIB077, IIB078, IIB079, IIB080; IIB-3a-3 Int. G: IIB081, IIB082, IIB083, IIB084, IIB208; IIB-3a-3 Int. I: IIB085, IIB087, IIB089.

Building IIB-3a-4

With IIB-3a-5, this building forms the eastern side of the IIB-3a plaza, and a restricted gate and guardhouse would have led from this smaller plaza to the palace’s restricted elite residential space (IIB-4). Like other IIB-3a plaza buildings, this one had its interior walls plastered, something uncommon in other parts of the palace (except for the possible dormitory buildings discussed in Zones IIB-1c and IIB-2b). Excavations within the building covered two interior units (a transect and a doorway unit totaling 49 m2 of the 149 m2 interior area), while a test trench (1.23 m wide) extended about 5 m to the west from the northern side of the building, connecting it to IIB-3a-3 (fig. 9.22). Unit B contained a feature of small piled stones, as well as a platform made of fire-hardened red earth (fig. 9.23–25). The north side of the doorway of Unit E had a platform made of hard-packed burnt earth, which was reminiscent of a similar feature described above for Building IIB-3a-3 (figs. 9.26–27). The exterior test trench encountered a midden area with a rich artifact assemblage, as well as evidence of a cobblestone pavement behind the building (9.28).

Interior and exterior excavations both yielded dense ceramic assemblages, although the collection from the interior is much larger, more than 15,000 sherds (compared to 903 sherds from the exterior unit). A metal tupu pin was encountered in the exterior midden. Spindle whorls (a total of six, three from the interior units, three from the exterior unit) and ground-stone tools (grinders and mortars) were found in both areas, as were animal bones (both burnt and unburnt, from large animals, including deer and camelid, as well as bird and guinea pig bone). While carbonized maize was present in both areas, only the building interior had a fragment of maize-toasting pottery and remains of charred potato, as well as what may have been the remains of coca leaves and burnt rope. Chunks of lime and ceramic vessels used for coca ash were identified in the unit, which may indicate the processing or consumption of coca as part of the activities taking place there. The extensive food remains found inside and outside the building are consistent with other evidence for small-scale cooking and food consumption. For the purposes of discussion, the interior of the building will be considered first, and then the exterior test unit will be described.

The ceramics from the building interior show high percentages of jars (65.5%, or 315/481), with average percentages of ollas (18.1%, or 87/481) and low percentages of plates and bowls (10.4%, or 50/481). The assemblage differs from nearby buildings just discussed in that there are more diverse jar forms (i.e., the presence of local jar types and the large tinaja vessel), as well as a large number of lids (26/481). Curiously, considerable botanical remains (carbonized wood, rope, maize, and potato) were encountered in association with the doorway from Transect E, found with a large collection of ceramic fragments that included narrow-mouth jars decorated with HPPA motifs and a decorated plate fragment. The doorway assemblage was dominated by imperial jar forms (74%, or 81/109) and other vessels that would have been used to convey food into or out of the building. Given the overall low percentage of decorated sherds within the building (1.46%, or 121/8264), the overall low percentage of slipped sherds, and the small components of serving vessel types, it seems that elite food consumption did not take place inside the building.

The exterior midden had a smaller artifact assemblage, but one more suited to food service that would have taken place in the plaza area. While the decorated ceramics from the building interior tended to be narrow-mouth jars with imperial designs (83 fragments of HPPA [including 43 fragments from 10 different identified narrow-mouth jars in 6 different proveniences], with 7 fragments of HPPB [3 fragments identified as coming from 2 different narrow-mouth jars]), the exterior ceramics had more decorative diversity, including decorated plates (2 decorated with HPPB—an unusual decoration for plates at the site—and 4 with other designs) and imperial narrow-mouth jars (2 HPPA, of a total of 8 sherds). The overall percentage of decorated sherds was higher than in the building interior (3.3%, or 30/920).

In terms of vessel identifications, the feature sherds included smaller numbers of jars (44%, or 40/91), which were exclusively imperial vessel types. The ratio of narrow-mouth jars to wide-mouth jars was higher (33:7, compared to 230:76 for the interior proveniences), suggesting that this was the preferred imperial serving vessel (as indicated by its prevalence in the outer plaza, biased decoration, etc.). In addition, the midden had evidence of a larger olla component (30%, or 27/91), and the largest plate/bowl component seen in this part of the palace (18%, or 16/91). This assemblage may indicate that food consumption took place in the plaza, possibly by small groups of higher status individuals.

Functionally, this building provides an interesting contrast with IIB-3a-5. It is possible that the differences in slipping and decoration may indicate that the two structures were used to feed different groups of people during events held in this plaza. Once IIB-3a-5 has been fully discussed, this possibility will be considered more fully.

Figure 9.22. IIB-3a-4 excavations.

Figure 9.23. IIB-3a-4, Sector B.

Figure 9.24. Piled pebbles in Sector B excavation.

Figure 9.25. Excavation of Sector B feature.

Figure 9.26. IIB-3a-4, Sector E Doorway.

Figure 9.27. Close-up of Sector E Doorway.

Figure 9.28. IIB-3a-4, Exterior Unit West 5.

TABLE 9.5: Ceramic Data from IIB-3a-4

IIB-3a-4 Int. B(a)

IIB-3a-4 Int. E(a)

IIB-3a-4 Ext. 405(a)

Jars

111/187 (59.4%)

207/294 (70.4%)

44/91 (48%)

Ollas

25/187 (13.4%)

62/294 (21.1%)

27/91 (32%)

Bowls/plates

36/187 (19.3%)

14/294 (4.8%)

16/91 (18%)

Slipping

129/193 (66.8%)

157/300 (52.3%)

59/93 (63%)

Decoration

6/193 (3.1%)

11/300 (3.7%)

8/93 (9%)

Carbon/soot

2/193 (1.0%)

7/300 (2.3%)

7/93 (8%)

Grit-temper (NF)

1295/3216 (40.27%)

2266/3833 (59.12%)

320/772 (41.5%)

Mica-temper (NF)

1498/3216 (46.58%)

1226/3833 (31.99%)

378/772 (49.0%)

Carbon-temper (NF)

107/3216 (3.33%)

89/3833 (2.32%)

22/772 (2.8%)

(a)Proveniences: IIB-3a-4 Int. B: IIB090, IIB091, IIB092, IIB093; IIB-3a-4 Int. E: IIB094, IIB095, IIB096, IIB097: IIB-3a-4 Ext. 405: IIB098, IIB099, IIB209.

Building IIB-3a-5

To the south of IIB-3a-4 is the final building of the IIB-3a plaza group. As mentioned above, the two buildings are separated by a narrow passageway that may have served as a guardhouse. Although the structure was not excavated, an architectural survey of the area revealed two small gateways (1.10–1.20 m wide) with an inset jamb that might indicate that doors were attached to them (figs. 29–30). The interior was a small space (about 20 m2) that had narrow platforms along the north and south walls, perhaps used to seat palace guards or individuals awaiting permission to enter the elite residential part of the palace. Part of a small, stone-covered canal was observed in the interior of the room.

Building IIB-3a-5, as suggested above, seems to have had a related function to that of IIB-3a-4, although perhaps used by a different subset of palace residents or visitors. Of the approximately 156 m2 of interior space, a single transect was excavated (approximately 20 m2), which had a somewhat different artifact assemblage than the other buildings in the plaza area. Ceramic fragments were abundant (totaling over 3900 sherds, or about 53 kg), but not in the great density seen in some of the plaza buildings (figs. 9.31–32). A grinding stone and grinder fragment were the only ground stone tools encountered, indicating that large-scale primary food preparation or brewing were not taking place. In addition, only a single spindle whorl was encountered in the excavations, as well as a small metal lunate knife. Carbonized maize, animal bone, and wood were found in multiple proveniences, particularly around ash lenses and areas of burnt earth close to the west wall. A single vessel support was present in association with the botanical remains and hearth remains. From this evidence, it appears that some cooking of maize foods was conducted inside the building, and perhaps the carving of roasted meat.

Not only did the lack of certain artifacts in this building contrast with the other plaza buildings, but the kinds of ceramics represented were distinct as well. There was a low percentage of slipped sherds (25.7%, or 641/2494), much lower than in the other buildings, where percentages of around 50% were observed. While slipped sherds were infrequent, decoration was common (7.7%, or 192/2494), and the kinds of decoration present were distinct from the other interior plaza buildings. For example, while Cusco-Inka designs were present (20 fragments of HPPA, 45 fragments of HPPB), the identified vessels were not just Inka narrow-mouth jars (2 HPPB), but included a small serving jar (VTYPE 2) with HPPB decoration and a jar lid (HPPA). The HPPB:HPPA ratio seen in this building is not quite as high as seen in the IIB-2a plaza group, and this building had other decorative types that were present there, including the circular incised design, the rare black-washed paste type (PTYPE 11), and 110 fragments of the provincial Jauja-Inka design. The decorative diversity encountered in this building is similar to that seen in some of the buildings in the IIB-1b and IIB-2c groups, and the presence of the Jauja ceramics, seen also in the elite-residential area (IIB-3b group) suggests that this building may have been used for drinking or feasting events where the use of provincial decorative styles was permissible.

Vessel diversity in the building was greater than that seen in many of the IIB-3a plaza buildings, and the frequencies of jars (59%, or 41/70), ollas (16%, or 11/70), and plates/bowls (16%, or 11/70) were closer to the IIB compound averages than the other buildings. It would appear that while imperial brewing activities or major feast preparations were done in this building, some food preparation took place on the eastern side of the plaza. It is possible that during restricted events in the IIB-3a plaza, local elites would have brought some of their own food and vessels to this building, while imperial preparations took place in other buildings. The feasting itself probably took place in the plaza area, which may also have been used for everyday elite eating.

Figure 9.29. Gateway between IIB-3a and IIB-4a.

Figure 9.30. Photograph of gateway, facing the IIB-3a plaza.

Figure 9.31. IIB-3a-5.

Figure 9.32. IIB-3a-5, Sector C.

Building IIB-3b-2

The largest building of those located to the north of the IIB-3a plaza, IIB-3b2 consists of a single room with an interior area of approximately 180 m2, and its dimensions resemble the kallanka style buildings found in the IIB-2a and IIB-3a plazas more than the small dormitory structures seen in the IIB-1c/2b area (although it lacks the large number of doorways seen in the former) (fig. 9.33). This might suggest a nonresidential function, while the small artifact assemblage indicates different functions than the cooking and brewing activities described in the larger plaza buildings. While an area of about 18 m2 was excavated inside the building, only 42 ceramic fragments were encountered, one of the lowest artifact densities observed for a palace building. No ground-stone tools were present, nor were botanical remains or spindle whorls found during the excavations. From this small sample, only seven sherds were identified by vessel type, all of which were either from undecorated narrow-mouth jars (4) or plates/bowls. The only decoration seen on sherds from the building interior was a single plate fragment with Jauja-Inka designs (a provincial style also seen in IIB-3a-5). The only possible evidence for sleeping use in this building consists of two low stone platforms found in the middle of the excavation unit. The dimensions of these are similar to platforms seen in IIB-2c-2 (1.90 × 0.75 m for the better-preserved one), and it is possible that they could have been used for sleeping. However, their alignment and location within the building would not have provided an efficient use of interior space, as was the case with IIB-2c-2. The walls of this building might have had a clay plaster, but it is impossible to come to a definite conclusion regarding the function of this structure.

While little material was found inside the building, a small (2.00 × 2.65 m) exterior unit was excavated to the north of the building. In it were found ceramic fragments (595 sherds), a grinding stone, a metal needle (fig. 9.34) and some fragments of animal bone. The ceramics had a higher percentage of slipping (65%, or 360/595) and decoration (4.4%, or 26/595) that was seen in most parts of the palace. Decorated sherds included HPPA (14 fragments), HPPB (4 fragments), and “Cusco Red-on-White” (8 fragments). In terms of vessels present, large plate fragments were observed during excavation, although the frequency of plate/bowl fragments was not as high as expected (12%, or 6/49). Ollas were not much more abundant (8/49), but jar forms made up a significant part of the assemblage (65%, or 32/49). The evidence from this exterior midden area suggests that some imperial-sponsored eating took place in the small plaza to the east of IIB-3b-2, although food preparation does not appear to have taken place here. It is possible that this building was used as a dormitory by traveling elites visiting the palace, although administrative functions and other activities cannot be ruled out.

Figure 9.33. IIB-3b-2, Sector I.

Figure 9.34. Metal needle from Building IIB-3b-2 (scale = 5 cm).

TABLE 9.6: Ceramic Data from IIB-3a-5 and IIB-3b-2

IIB-3a-5 Int. C(a)

IIB-3b-2 Int. I(a)

IIB-3b-2 Ext. 104(a)

Jars

44/70 (63%)

4/7 (57%)

32/49 (65%)

Ollas

11/70 (16%)

0

8/49 (16%)

Bowls/plates

11/70 (16%)

3/7 (43%)

6/49 (12%)

Slipping

38/73 (52%)

4/7 (57%)

33/50 (66%)

Decoration

4/73 (5%)

1/7 (14%)

0

Carbon/soot

3/73 (4%)

0

3/50 (6%)

Grit-temper (NF)

1460/2273 (64.23%)

9/35 (26%)

147/520 (28.3%)

Mica-temper (NF)

585/2273 (25.74%)

25/35 (71%)

246/520 (47.3%)

Carbon-temper (NF)

21/2273 (0.92%)

0

89/520 (17.1%)

(a)Proveniences: IIB-3a-5 Int. C: IIB203, IIB204, IIB205, IIB206; IIB-3b-2 Int. I: IIB194; IIB-3b-2 Ext. 104: IIB195.

Overview

The buildings of Zone IIB-3a were built to serve a smaller group of people at Huánuco Pampa, with more intimate open spaces and architecture. The artifacts found in this area demonstrate intensive activities to support the daily life of palace residents, as well as the administrative events occurring in the palace. These events are more clearly linked to Inka state styles and vessel forms, although the presence of some provincial and local decoration is present.

CHAPTER 10: BUILDING SUMMARIES FROM ZONE IIB-4

Zone IIB-4 represents the most private and residential area of the palace complex, and some of its distinctive architectural features are worth noting at the outset of this discussion. Although access to this area was highly restricted, there is less control over movement within this area (compared to other parts of the palace). Several buildings are constructed of high-quality ashlar masonry, and building forms are generally smaller and diverge from long rectangular forms (figs. 10.1–2). In addition to small, presumably residential structures, this area has a large fountain or bath complex and a set of open, terraced esplanades. A canal brought water to this part of the compound. Four buildings were excavated in this area, providing evidence of domestic activities in the most restricted part of the palace.

Figure 10.1. Zone IIB-4 architecture.

Figure 10.2. Zone IIB-4 bath or fountain.

BUILDING SUMMARIES

This part of the palace shows widespread evidence of a Colonial period occupation. While other buildings in the palace show evidence of limited reoccupation and reconstruction of interior walls, this area was used more intensively in the post-conquest era, altering if not effacing Inka imperial contexts. To the extent that exotic goods were used and stored in the palace, it is likely that they were removed in the years following the conquest. Spaniards living in this part of the palace kept animals (horses, perhaps pigs) in some of these buildings, and roughly 80% (247/310) of all examples of “post-Inkaic C” ceramic paste (PTYPE 15) from the palace were found in the IIB-4 area. Those identified by vessel type were all from a kind of olla (VTYPE 12) seen in greater abundance in this area than anywhere else in the site, constituting roughly 30% of the sample of this vessel type from the site (77/258). The presence of this olla form in such high numbers (24%, or 77/326) has an important effect on the ratios of vessel types, and the presence of other Colonial artifacts (horseshoes, faunal and botanical remains, etc.) makes the identification of individual building function even more tenuous.

Building IIB-4a-1

Located in a small patio group to the east of the IIB-3a plaza, this small two-room structure had a total area of 52.5 m2 (walls included; fig. 10.3). Unlike most buildings of the IIB-4a west patio group, this one was constructed of unworked fieldstone rather than fine ashlar masonry. The excavation of the northern room of the building revealed extensive Colonial artifacts, including fragments of glazed pottery, iron implements (three knives, a pendant, a ring, a horseshoe fragment, and a nail and a glass fragment, figs. 10.4–5), and possible cow bones. The excavation of this building encountered layers of burning and ceramics, but European artifacts were found in most contexts. One feature of the building that is worth noting is that the floor appears to have been paved with pebbles. It is possible that this building was originally a small multiroom storage structure that was used for food and other goods needed in the residential part of the palace. The size of the building and its division into multiple rooms would be consistent with storage areas (although it is possible that the interior dividing wall is post-Inka).

The excavation of the building interior uncovered very few sherds (337) for analysis, none of which was decorated. In fact, of all sherds found in association with this building, frequency of slipping (8.4%, or 68/814) and decoration (0.6%, or 5/814) were very low. Of the 29 sherds identified by vessel type, more than half (16) were from possible Colonial ollas (VTYPE 12). Other sherds came from imperial jar forms (10/28), plates, and a jar lid. The low number of sherds and kinds of vessel present may indicate an Inka storage function, perhaps of exotic or nonfood items. However, the presence of seven spindle whorls associated with the building might indicate craft activity (although this cannot be conclusively linked to the Inka occupation). Few lithic artifacts were present in this structure—a single pestle and a bolalike grooved stone (fig. 10.6) were logged in the artifact catalog. A fragment of crystal was encountered in the interior excavation (fig. 10.7).

In addition to the interior excavations, four exterior test units to the north, east, and west of the building yielded similar evidence for Colonial occupation, including more metal artifacts (figs. 10.8–9). A combined sample of 569 sherds included a few decorated fragments, including four HPPA (one from a narrow-mouth jar), but also 27 fragments of the post-conquest paste type mentioned above. Of the identified vessels, more than half were again from the Colonial olla form (25/43), while other vessel forms included imperial and local jars, ollas, and plates/bowls. The evidence from the exterior contexts does not allow us to modify the tentative identification of this building as a storage or craft production area. The low density of Inka artifacts may also indicate that the building was used as a dormitory, or that it was only periodically in use (perhaps only during visits to the site by high-ranking Inka officials).

Figure 10.3. IIB-4a-1 excavations.

Figure 10.4. Iron nail from excavation of IIB-4a-1 (scale = 5 cm).

Figure 10.5. Glass fragment from post-Conquest occupation of Zone IIB-4 (scale = 5 cm).

Figure 10.6. Stone tool from Building IIB-4a-1 (scale = 5 cm).

Figure 10.7. Crystal fragment from Building IIB-4a-1 (scale = 5 cm).

Figure 10.8. IIB-4a-1, north profile of building interior and east and west test units.

Figure 10.9. IIB-4a-1, west profile of building interior and north test unit.

Building IIB-4a-7

Located to the east of the IIB-4a patio, this building is one of six or seven square-shaped buildings situated at the back of the palace close to where the area of fountains and gardens would have been. This building and its neighbor IIB-4a-8 represent the only excavated examples of this type of structure, which range in total area from about 64 m2 to 81 m2 (fig. 10.10). The presence of a square architectural form is unusual in the palace, as elongated rectangular forms dominate the complex. It is possible that some of these structures were divided internally into two small rectangular rooms. This area, given its fine architecture and small building sizes, may have been used for elite residence or for storage and craft activity. The location of these structures would certainly suggest access for only high-status individuals.

The excavation of this structure encountered Colonial disturbance, including the burial of a pig and the construction of a probable Colonial interior wall. The overall artifact collection was rather small, including 2132 fragments of ceramics, two possible grinding tools, and two spindle whorls. Interestingly, only two sherds of the Colonial paste were encountered, and only a single example of the Colonial olla form. This may indicate a less intensive reoccupation of this building.

The interior of the building was excavated in its entirety, and a small test unit was made to the north of the structure. Because of the small number of artifacts in the test unit (57 ceramic fragments), only the interior will be discussed. While overall decoration frequency was low here (0.8%, or 3/361), slipping was common (61.2%, or 221/361). Only one decorated sherd was identified by vessel type, as a small jar or pitcher. The sample of identified vessels was small (36), consisting of narrow-mouth jars (22/36), ollas (5/36), plates (2/36) and a jar lid. Although a storage or craft function might be indicated, it is possible that this building could have been used for sleeping quarters. The fine ashlar masonry used on the front face of the building would not be expected as construction material for a storage building, and the small size of the structure would be more heat efficient than the long rectangular halls seen in the plaza areas. Finally, these buildings are located in the most private areas of open space and recreation in the palace, perhaps indicating strictly residential functions.

Figure 10.10. IIB-4a-7.

TABLE 10.1: Ceramic Data from IIB-4a-1 and IIB-4a-7

IIB-4a-1 Int. A/B(a)

IIB-4a-1 All Ext.(a)

IIB-4a-7 Int. A/B/C(a)

IIB-4a-7 Ext. 109(a)

Jars

9/42 (21%)

10/29 (34%)

27/36 (75%)

5/9 (56%)

Ollas

28/42 (67%)

16/29 (55%)

5/36 (14%)

2/9 (22%)

Bowls/plates

3/42 (7%)

2/29 (7%)

2/36 (6%)

2/9 (22%)

Slipping

11/43 (26%)

7/30 (23%)

21/39 (54%)

7/9 (78%)

Decoration

2/43 (5%)

0

1/39 (3%)

0

Carbon/soot

13/43 (30%)

11/30 (37%)

4/39 (10%)

0

Grit-temper (NF)

367/436 (84.2%)

222/269 (82.5%)

102/264 (38.6%)

16/37 (43%)

Mica-temper (NF)

16/436 (3.7%)

20/269 (7.4%)

150/264 (56.8%)

17/37 (46%)

Carbon-temper (NF)

7/436 (1.6%)

1/269 (0.4%)

4/264 (1.5%)

1/37 (3%)

(a)Proveniences: IIB-4a-1 Int. A/B: IIB002, IIB003, IIB004, IIB005, IIB041, IIB042, IIB043, IIB044; IIB-4a-1 All Ext.: IIB006, IIB007, IIB008, IIB009, IIB046, IIB047, IIB048, IIB052, IIB053; IIB-4a-7 Int. A/B/C: IIB010, IIB011, IIB012, IIB013, IIB014, IIB015, IIB016, IIB017; IIB-4a-7 Ext. 109: IIB018, IIB019, IIB020.

Building IIB-4a-8

Like IIB-4a-7, this building is one of the small square structures located to the east of the patio areas. While IIB-4a-7 did not have evidence of plastering (possibly because of later reuse of the building), IIB-4a-8 had plaster on walls and floor, as well as a post-Inka interior wall that divided the building into two small (approximately 20 m2) rooms. In addition, three large wall niches (large enough for a person to stand in) were observed inside the building. The west side of the building was excavated, revealing a small stone firebox, which may have been used for heating the room (fig. 10.11).

The interior excavations encountered 410 fragments of ceramic, as well as two possible stone grinding tools, two bone weaving tools (fig. 10.12), and a spindle whorl. No decorated sherds were found (although a fragment of HPPB plate was found in a test trench that was excavated to the east of the building), although slipping was common (57.7% for all associated contexts, or 305/529). The number of feature sherds in the interior and exterior excavations is small, consisting of narrow-mouth jars (14 from a total of 33 vessel identifications), ollas (11/33, including 3 examples of the Colonial olla form), plates/bowls (6/33), and a jar lid. Animal bone and burnt botanical remains were encountered, but in layers associated with Colonial artifacts. From the architecture, it is possible to conjecture that this building served as the sleeping quarters of a person who was important enough to have a plastered floor and walls and a firebox for keeping the building interior warm.

Figure 10.11. IIB-4a-8 excavations.

Figure 10.12. Bone weaving tool from IIB-4a-8 (scale = 5 cm).

Building IIB-4b-3

The final building excavated in the palace, this structure is located on the south side of the small IIB-4b patio area (south of the IIB-4a patio). Unlike the two buildings just discussed, this small structure (27 m2 interior area) is a single elongated rectangular room built with double walls of large, crude stones and a rubble fill. The entire room was excavated, and long test trenches were excavated to the north, south, and west of the building. The excavations encountered extensive evidence of Colonial reoccupation of this area, including metal artifacts (a key, knives), glazed pottery (fig. 10.13), and evidence of wall construction in previously open spaces.

In terms of architecture, this area is interesting because several platforms (possibly used as benches) were found along the exterior of the building and the compound walls. These were also found inside the building, including one that was almost 4 m long (fig. 10.14). It is possible that this area was used as an elite domestic area (as well as a dormitory), or that it was used for receiving small numbers of palace visitors. Unfortunately, the artifact assemblage is too disturbed to assist in the identification of function.

A total of 984 ceramic fragments were encountered in the building interior, including 143 fragments of the post-Inka paste type. As mentioned, metal objects were found in the unit, as well as two stone tools and two spindle whorls. Animal bone (guinea pig) was encountered, and there was evidence of burning in some parts of the floor. Of the ceramics, some Inka designs were present, including a decorated plate and a narrow-mouth jar fragment with HPPA designs. Like IIB-4a-1, slipping (27.6%, or 765/2776) and decoration (0.3%, or 9/2776) were not prevalent inside the building or in the test trenches. In addition, the Colonial olla form was quite common, representing almost 20% (33/167) of all identified vessel forms in both areas. Inside the building, plates and bowls were abundant (13/50), as were ollas (11/50). Jar forms were much less prevalent than expected (10/50).

The exterior trenches provide evidence of low platforms and benches placed on the outside walls of the building, as well as a partially paved plaza to the north of the building (figs. 10.15–16). The trenches, in particular the one to the west of the building, had evidence of Spanish artifacts in midden contexts. This included four spindle whorls, animal bone, glazed pottery fragments, and 1976 fragments of ceramic, including 73 fragments of the post-Inkaic paste and 21 fragments identified as belonging to the Colonial olla form. The remaining ceramics included roughly average components of jars (48/96, including narrow-mouth, wide-mouth, and local jar forms), ollas (22/96), and plates/bowls (16/96).

Given the heavy Colonial reoccupation of this area, any conclusions regarding building function must remain hypothetical. The two small plaza groups to the east of the IIB-3a plaza may have been used for some storage or craft activity, but some might have had administrative functions, or have been used to house special visitors to the site.

Figure 10.13. Glazed Colonial pottery from Building IIB-4b-3 (scale = 5 cm).

Figure 10.14. IIB-4b-3 excavations.

Figure 10.15. IIB-4b-3, south profile of building interior and west test unit.

Figure 10.16. IIB-4b-3, west profile of building interior and north and south test units.

TABLE 10.2: Ceramic Data from IIB-4a-8 and IIB-4b-3

IIB-4a-8 Int. A(a)

IIB-4a-8 Ext. 202(a)

IIB-4b-3 Int. A/B/C(a)

IIB-4b-3 All Ext.(a)

Jars

8/17 (47%)

6/16 (38%)

10/50 (20%)

49/117 (41.9%)

Ollas

3/17 (18%)

8/16 (50%)

23/50 (46%)

43/117 (36.8%)

Bowls/plates

4/17 (24%)

2/16 (13%)

13/50 (26%)

16/117 (13.7%)

Slipping

10/19 (53%)

6/17 (35%)

19/50 (38%)

45/119 (37.8%)

Decoration

0

1/17 (6%)

2/50 (4%)

1/119 (0.8%)

Carbon/soot

4/19 (21%)

3/17 (18%)

11/50 (22%)

18/119 (15.1%)

Grit-temper (NF)

116/365 (31.8%)

64/100 (64%)

223/818 (27.3%)

937/1651 (56.75%)

Mica-temper (NF)

228/365 (62.5%)

28/100 (28%)

382/818 (46.7%)

478/1651 (28.95%)

Carbon-temper (NF)

5/365 (1.4%)

1/100 (1%)

45/818 (5.5%)

69/1651 (4.18%)

(a)Proveniences: IIB-4a-8 Int. A: IIB021, IIB022, IIB023, IIB024; IIB-4a-8 Ext. 202: IIB026, IIB049; IIB-4b-3 Int. A/B/C: IIB027, IIB028, IIB029, IIB030, IIB032, IIB034, IIB035; IIB-4b-3 All Ext.: IIB036, IIB037, IIB038, IIB039, IIB040.

Overview

Access to the small clusters of buildings that comprise Zone IIB-4 could be achieved only by passing through a succession of gateways, suggesting that this was the highest-status sector of the palace and an area where few would be allowed to enter. This exclusivity of access is underscored by the small size of buildings and open patio spaces (usually enclosures of a few hundred square meters), which could not have accommodated the kinds of large-scale activities of the more accessible plaza areas. As noted above, access to the IIB-4 area is highly restricted, but there is far more intercommunication between the well-constructed buildings and special facilities in this area. This suggests an elite residential function. The evidence from excavation contexts indicates a less intensive use of this area than that encountered in other parts of the Zone IIB compound. It may be that the limited artifact sample can be attributed to function—buildings were used as dormitories or storage facilities, and were cleared of their contents at the end of the Inka occupation. It is also possible that this area—known as the “House of the Inka” even in early Colonial times—was used only by the highest-ranking members of the Inka nobility on rare royal visits to the province.

CHAPTER 11: COMPARING PLAZA SPACES AT HUÁNUCO PAMPA

This volume has introduced excavations at an Inka administrative center, focusing on urban plan and the administrative and social roles of a series of plaza spaces of differing degrees of size and accessibility. These were laid out when the site was first built, and the coordination of structures and open spaces reveals evidence of top-down strategies for staging imperial encounters at the site. The building-by-building description of excavations in the central plaza and two plazas in the palace compound at Huánuco Pampa (Zones IIB-2a and IIB-3a) makes it possible to reconstruct aspects of how these spaces were actually used. Larger patterns of accessibility and function—as well as evidence for intensity or frequency of use—provide us with critical perspectives on how this provincial center extended state infrastructure and facilitated provincial rule. The principal focus of this chapter will be on the ceramic evidence, with short sections devoted to other classes of material culture.

CERAMIC ATTRIBUTES

As discussed in the introduction to this volume, ceramic data represent the most systematically studied class of artifact excavated at Huánuco Pampa, and a considerable sample was excavated and analyzed in the buildings surrounding the central plaza (Buildings IIIB-1-1, IVA-1-1, and VC-15-3), and the IIB-2a and IIB-3a plazas. (The ceramics from the ushnu platform were not studied using the same analytical methods, and are not included in this analysis.) Tens of thousands of fragments were recovered in each area, with roughly 2000 feature sherd designations made for each group of structures (table 11.1). While the feature sherd samples from these regions are approximately the same size, they represent excavation areas of very different sizes. Excavations in buildings and open spaces on the central plaza comprise more than 500 m2, including more than 450 m2 of interior space. By contrast, a total area of approximately 280 m2 was excavated in the two palace plaza groups, the vast majority of it in interior transects. The artifact sample from the Zone IIB plaza groups represents a much more intense occupation than the central plaza.

When comparing the sample of 77,955 undecorated nonfeature sherds from the three plaza areas (table 11.2), the central plaza contexts yielded a higher proportion of local grit-temper wares, slightly lower percentages of the Inka-related mica-temper wares, and a minor component of carbon-temper sherds, and a very small component of other nonlocal pastes. The two palace plaza areas both contained more nonlocal wares, and the more exclusive IIB-3a plaza had a slightly higher percentage of mica-temper wares. While it would not be surprising to find that the inner plaza at the palace had more Inka state wares and ceramics from across the empire, the differences in the proportion of carbon-temper pottery between the plazas are interesting.

The sample of nonfeature pottery provides data on slips present on undecorated grit- and mica-temper wares, and the 71,295 sherds for which data are compiled indicate different distribution patterns in the three plaza spaces (table 11.3). The open central plaza has a high percentage of unslipped grit- and mica-temper sherds, with a minor component of red-slipped pottery and almost no cream- or black-slipped sherds. The most exclusive plaza (IIB-3a) has a much higher proportion of slipped pottery, with a large component of red-slipped sherds and a significant component of cream-slipped pottery, while figures for the IIB-2a plaza lie between these extremes. It is worth noting that as a measure of overall status, such distributions of slipped pottery pale in comparison to accounts of the wealth of Andean nobles in coastal cities, or of the Inka elite. At the same time, however, these data do provide some revealing patterns regarding status and the use of open spaces at Huánuco Pampa.

The nonfeature ceramics provide a further measure of status in the data from decorated pottery (paste categories 16–21, excluding “other” designations, which are inconsistently coded; table 11.4). Of the 951 fragments (21.0 kg) of decorated pottery identified in the three plaza areas, 48% came from the smallest and most exclusive. These findings support the following observations: (1) areas of more exclusive access have more decorated pottery, (2) Huánuco Pampa Polychrome A appears to be a state style with a distribution tied more closely to status and access, and (3) HPPB, other provincial Inka styles (HPPF), and local incised pottery are most common in the IIB-2a plaza, a space of intermediate accessibility.

While noting these results, it is important to observe the problematic nature of the nonfeature sample regarding decoration, as decorated pottery was more likely to be included in the sample of feature sherds. To analyze the two ceramic databases simultaneously, the following table combines the sherd counts for both feature and nonfeature pottery from the plaza areas (table 11.5). The overall patterning remains the same. When considering all decoration, the rate of decoration is slightly higher in the IIB-2a plaza (4.44%) than in the IIB-3a plaza (3.42%) and central plaza (2.69%). It is worth repeating how modest these figures are—very little wealth was left behind at Huánuco Pampa when its ceremonial functions ended.

The ceramic data provide a portrait of three kinds of imperial encounters in plaza spaces at Huánuco Pampa. The central plaza was a location of lower status and less controlled access—Inka identities were communicated through the ceremonial use of the ushnu platform, while local and imperial styles were used in other parts of the plaza. The IIB-2a plaza was a place with evidence of higher status and more controlled access, where the display of imperial decoration was more noticeable, but where individuals introduced a diverse array of styles in the activities taking place there. The restricted IIB-3a plaza shows the highest adherence to imperial styles and the greatest use of slipped ceramics. The palace plazas show preferential use of imperial styles on serving vessels—in particular, the narrow-mouth jars used to serve liquids like maize beer (table 11.6). This, and the higher percentage of decoration, is partly attributed to the smaller sample of decorated bowls and plates that would be used for individual food consumption. As table 11.7 shows, decorated bowls and plates were most common in the IIB-2a plaza and were more likely decorated with provincial Inka and other designs than Inka polychromes. This suggests either that more high-status food consumption took place in the IIB-2a plaza, or that the vessels used in the IIB-3a plaza were not left behind at the site.

Having demonstrated some differences in access and status between the plaza areas, it is possible to look briefly at some general vessel-size data and form-distribution patterns as a transition into the consideration of functional differences (tables 11.8 and 11.9). In this case, only common Inka vessel forms will be considered. In a general sense, the average rim diameter of narrow-mouth jars (VFORM 1), a form commonly used for serving liquids and for storing food, is highest in the most restricted plaza area, while the central plaza jars of this form are smaller than the site average (it is worth noting that the jars found on the ushnu platform were generally relatively large). This form is most prevalent in the central plaza. The wide-mouth jar (VFORM 3), which is a form used for storing liquids (including the fermentation of maize beer), is also larger around the palace plazas, where it is present in percentages above the site average, and smaller in the central plaza, where it is less common. These general jar measures accord with evidence for brewing found in the palace and its absence in the central plaza buildings.

The best evidence for small-scale cooking comes from the small olla (VFORM 6) and pedestal olla (VFORM 7). Rim diameters of the small olla are slightly higher than average in the palace, and slightly lower than average in the central plaza, where it is present in higher than average percentages. Rim diameters for the pedestal form are represented at the site average in all areas (except for IIB-3a, where it is slightly smaller). Such figures seem to indicate that the cooking activity in the plaza was organized to feed larger groups than comparable activities in the buildings around the central plaza. Three Inka plate forms (VFORMs17–19), often of a size suited to serving a single individual, reflect the serving and consumption of food. Generally, the plaza spaces have smaller than average plate sizes, with the IIB-2a plaza showing evidence of larger plates than the other two plazas. This area also has the largest plate component of the three plazas, while the central plaza and IIB-3a plaza have lower percentages of plates than the site average. These figures show some important differences in building function and the scale of activities occurring around the plazas at the site.

SPINDLE WHORL DISTRIBUTION

The distribution of spindle whorls in plaza contexts has been interpreted as evidence of secondary activities taking place while other tasks were performed. Spindle whorls pose an interpretive problem in that they are sometimes included in the ceramic sample from a provenience, while in other cases the spindle whorls from a given context were separated as special artifacts. The overall spindle whorl count often comes from excavation notes rather than the coded artifact database. Additionally, project excavators encountered a number of artifacts that were interpreted as incomplete whorls, which are included in the present discussion despite the fact that they were apparently not used for spinning activity.

The buildings on the central plaza yielded far fewer whorls than the palace plaza groups—based on field notes, six whorls were encountered. Given the large excavation area represented, it appears that spinning activities were not important in these buildings, which lack evidence for certain cooking activities. By contrast, more than 100 spindle whorls were present in the palace plaza groups. Zone IIB-2a has 76 whorls, including 2 made of stone, while Zone IIB-3a has only 48. The distribution of these is interesting, as it corresponds strongly to areas already singled out for food-preparation activities. In the two groups, 69% (86/124) of the whorls were found in the four buildings with grinding slabs, an area containing only 45% of the ceramics from the two groups. The association of whorls and grinding stones suggests that there were similar activities taking place in both of the palace plazas, but that the scale of those in Zone IIB-2a was somewhat greater than those of Zone IIB-3a.

DISTRIBUTION OF GROUND-STONE TOOLS

Ground-stone tools were present in the buildings surrounding each of the three plazas studied in this volume, but there are some clear patterns differentiating them. Buildings on the central plaza had few ground-stone tools. One fragment of a grinding slab was present in IIIB-1-1, while the other tools consisted of smaller, portable tools (a pounder or anvil, grinders, pestles, a mortar, and two stone bowl fragments). Overall, this tool assemblage does not indicate large-scale primary food production or brewing activities, which is supported by other lines of evidence already discussed.

The palace plazas yielded more evidence of large-scale food production and brewing activity, and more than 40 ground stone tools were present in these areas. While the two plaza groups have approximately the same number of grinding stones, Zone IIB-2a has 5 grinding slabs (4 of them in 1 building), while Zone IIB-3a has only 2. Grinders are more common in IIB-2a (10, compared to 2 in IIB-3a), while stone knives are more common in IIB-3a (5, with 2 found in IIB-2a). Taken with ceramic distributions and the botanical and faunal assemblage already discussed for each building, this may also indicate that activity areas were specialized for large feasts.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on several lines of evidence, it is possible to observe different functions for the central plaza and the Zone IIB-2a and Zone IIB-3a plazas. The highly accessible central plaza appears to have been a place for the assembly of Huánuco’s subject population, with the ushnu platform serving as a place for representatives of the Inka ruler to oversee processions, festive and religious activities, and administrative proceedings. The buildings surrounding the plaza were used periodically to stage these events, probably by tributary groups. They were not used for large-scale primary food preparation or brewing—instead, it appears that food was brought to the buildings for reheating or transfer to serving vessels.

The Zone IIB-2a plaza was accessible to a smaller subset of site visitors—people of higher status who had reason to interact with Inka administrators or royal visitors. This plaza was used for special occasions, and the buildings surrounding were places where preparations for feasts and drinking events could be prepared. Possibly, some of the people coming to feasting events in this plaza brought their own plates or drinking vessels, although the state demonstrated its presence by using serving vessels decorated with Inka polychrome designs. The Zone IIB-3a plaza seems to have been less accessible to locals, and to have both residential and administrative functions. Some spaces were used for the preparation of maize beer for large feasts, as well as a place where food could be brought from cooking areas in other parts of the site. Substantial cooking also seems to have taken place there. The consumption of food and drink in this area would have been more restricted, may have included more elite foods (such as meat, although this is difficult to quantify), and certainly involved the fanciest ceramics seen at the site.

FINAL COMMENTS

This volume has approached the Inka urban center from an emic perspective, noting that connections with the Inka ruler and state institutions were essential to the distinction between town and city. At Huánuco Pampa, such links are seen most clearly in the formal layout of the central plaza and the administrative palace in Zone IIB. The discussion of excavations in these areas has laid out the transition between civic, administrative, and residential contexts that made Huánuco Pampa an Inka city—and that ensured its decline under Spanish Colonial rule.

TABLE 11.1: Ceramic Samples from Plaza Areas

Area

Lots

Ceramic Counta

Ceramic Weight (kg)(a)

Feature Sherds

Central plaza

29

39,303

529.3

1967

IIB-2a plaza

45

77,575

1163.5

2164

IIB-3a plaza

49

77,817

1264.1

2427

(a)Totals for some proveniences are extrapolated from sampled weights/counts of material.

TABLE 11.2: Weight (kg) and Percentage of Sampled Undecorated Nonfeature Pottery (Pastes 1–14)

Area

Grit-Temper

Mica-Temper

Carbon-Temper

Other

Central plaza

114.4 (60.3%)

62.5 (33.0%)

10.0 (5.3%)

2.7 (1.4%)

IIB-2a plaza

180.3 (54.3%)

110.2 (33.2%)

31.3 (9.4%)

10.1 (3.0%)

IIB-3a plaza

209.1 (57.1%)

128.5 (35.1%)

16.6 (4.5%)

11.9 (3.3%)

TABLE 11.3: Slip on Sampled Grit- and Mica-Temper Nonfeature Pottery

Area

No Slip

Red

Cream

Black(a)

Central plaza

147.7 kg (83.5%)

28.3 (16.0%)

0.9 (0.5%)

0.0

IIB-2a plaza

158.3 (54.5%)

112.2 (38.6%)

19.1 (6.6%)

0.9

IIB-3a plaza

170.8 (50.6%)

136.5 (40.4%)

30.1 (8.9%)

0.2

(a)Coded only for mica-temper paste. Weights less than 100 g were not counted.

TABLE 11.4: Nonfeature Decorated Sherds from Plaza Areas

Area

HPPA

HPPB

HPPF

Incised

Central plaza

1 (0.0 kg)

26 (0.7 kg)

0

24 (0.3 kg)

IIB-2a plaza

64 (1.6)

323 (7.3)

18 (0.1 kg)

38 (0.5)

IIB-3a plaza

185 (2.8)

267 (7.6)

4 (0.1)

1 (0.0)

TABLE 11.5: Feature and Nonfeature Decorated Sherds from Plazas

Area

HPPA

HPPB

HPPF

Incised

Central plaza

12

34

2

36

IIB-2a plaza

128

495

20

42

IIB-3a plaza

334

466

6

10

TABLE 11.6: Decoration on Form 1 Jars in Plaza Areas

Area

Decorated

HPPA

HPPB

Other

Central plaza

43

11

6

26

IIB-2a plaza

50

14

32

4

IIB-3a plaza

50

27

22

1

TABLE 11.7: Decoration on Bowls and Plates (VFORMs 13–21) in Plazas

Area

Total

HPPA

HPPB

Other

Central plaza

2

0

2

0

IIB-2a plaza

29

1

1

27

IIB-3a plaza

11

0

2

9

TABLE 11.8: Average Rim Diameter (mm) for Selected Vessel Forms

VFORM

Site

Central Plaza

IIB-2a Plaza

IIB-3a Plaza

1 (jar)

271 [n = 12802]

257 [n = 531]

277 [n = 343]

295 [n = 306]

3 (jar)

355 [n = 2226]

344 [n = 28]

396 [n = 91]

405 [n = 140]

6 (olla)

184 [n = 1203]

162 [n = 25]

207 [n = 34]

204 [n = 45]

7 (olla)

177 [n = 1886]

175 [n = 49]

176 [n = 37]

162 [n = 45]

17 (plate)

230 [n = 1416]

189 [n = 48]

205 [n = 41]

195 [n = 30]

18 (plate)

254 [n = 632]

242 [n = 15]

262 [n = 31]

242 [n = 17]

19 (plate)

249 [n = 1917]

227 [n = 40]

242 [n = 108]

231 [n = 96]

TABLE 11.9: Percentage of Selected Vessel Forms(a)

VFORM

Site

Central Plaza

IIB-2a Plaza

IIB-3a Plaza

1 (jar)

49.38%

59.27%

43.42%

47.02%

3 (jar)

8.41%

5.08%

10.53%

13.87%

6 (olla)

4.85%

7.69%

3.97%

4.68%

7 (olla)

6.87%

5.83%

6.16%

6.91%

17 (plate)

4.35%

3.04%

2.78%

1.59%

18 (plate)

1.96%

1.11%

2.63%

1.16%

19 (plate)

5.96%

2.48%

9.39%

6.01%

(a)Totals are based on all positive identifications of the 23 vessel forms in the coding manual.

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APPENDIX: THE CERAMICS OF HUÁNUCO PAMPA

Archaeological excavations at Huánuco Pampa yielded a ceramic assemblage of around 15 metric tons (nearly one million fragments), which were washed and analyzed in the laboratory in Huánuco. Due to the huge size of the collection, systematic random sampling techniques were employed to isolate representative samples for analysis. For proveniences with smaller assemblages, 100% of all ceramic fragments were analyzed, while larger proveniences were sampled randomly. Samples were determined based on the overall weight, and samples ranged from 10%–67%, taken from the total assemblage or from rim fragments only (for the largest proveniences).

ANALYSIS OF NONFEATURE POTTERY

The first stage of sampling yielded an overall pottery collection of more than 500,000 fragments, which was further subdivided into two collections: “feature” pottery (discussed in the following section) and “nonfeature” pottery. This latter category comprises 478,305 fragments, which are differentiated by paste/temper categories but for which vessel form could not be identified. As with the feature sherds, the project codebook designated 15 basic paste/temper categories for undecorated fragments in the nonfeature collection, while decorated sherds and rare wares were coded separately. For example, Huánuco Pampa polychromes A, B, and F were coded 16, 17, and 18, respectively; while local incised decoration was coded 19 (circular incised) and 20 (crossed-line incised). An open paste category (21) was designated Huánuco Pampa Red-on-White, but was not coded uniformly across the site—this probably correlates to an open decoration category (6) in the feature pottery. Other paste/temper designations are coded as 22 (“open”), 23 (“other”), and higher numbers. In some cases there are notes describing what the “other” component is, but code designations higher than 20 cannot be treated as a consistent analysis, and should be excluded from most forms of analysis.

The data from the nonfeature pottery collection are coarse grained, but offer several analytical possibilities between different areas at the site. The size and weight of pottery fragments varies across the site, and the analysis of large samples focuses on weight rather than sherd count. The components of grit-, mica-, carbon-temper and other wares can be analyzed to determine the distribution of different paste/temper categories—for the Inka occupation, this analysis should focus on categories 1–14, excluding the post-Inka ware (P15) and all decorated wares. In addition, slipping of nonfeature pottery provides some valuable patterns for identifying status differences across the site. Since slipping is only coded for grit- and mica-temper pottery, this analysis proceeds by combining unslipped wares in the P1–8 categories (P1, 4, 5), red-slipped wares (P2, 6), cream-slipped wares (P3, 7), and one black-slipped ware (P8). Finally, decorated wares (P16–20) can be compared—because the sample sizes of decorated pottery are often too small to register the minimum weight unit (100 g), comparisons are made based on sherd counts, despite acknowledged problems with this method.

ANALYSIS OF FEATURE POTTERY

In cases where the vessel form of a sherd was potentially identifiable during the preliminary sampling of excavated pottery, the fragment was classified as a feature sherd and coded in a separate database including about 35 variables related to provenience and vessel attributes. Where multiple fragments were known to come from the same vessel, all sherds were coded as a single feature sherd. Thus, instead of recording the number of identified specimens pertaining to a particular vessel form, feature sherds were meant to represent actual vessel counts as closely as possible. As a result, the sample of 56,301 feature sherds represents 78,504 pottery fragments.

The coding of feature sherds was considerably more intensive than the study of the nonfeature collection. A range of attributes was recorded for each feature sherd, including:

• Vessel form

• Interior and exterior surface attributes (slipping, washing, decoration)

• Paste and temper

• Carbon/soot (including exposure to cooking fires, as well as postdepositional burning)

• Key diagnostic measures (e.g., rim diameter, base diameter, handle size)

Within the overall sample of feature sherds the total number of conclusive identifications for each category varies. For example, 36,763 conclusive vessel identifications were made, while 55,509 paste/temper identifications were made that conform to the project coding protocols.

Paste Attributes

As noted above, feature sherds were divided into 15 major categories based on paste and temper (Morris and Stein, 1974). The coding manual devised by Morris and Stein provides short descriptions of each category, summarized below:

Grit-temper Pastes

Paste 1. Simple dark red paste with predominant nonmica mineral temper. The color varies from orange (rare) to dark grey based on variations in firing. The surface is normally smoothed or polished.

Paste 2. Dark red paste with predominant nonmica mineral temper, with evidence of red slip. This is essentially a red-slipped version of Paste 1.

Paste 3. Dark red paste with predominant nonmica mineral temper, with a cream slip. This is a cream-slipped version of Paste 1. The evidence from complete and nearly complete vessels indicates that this slip occurs exclusively in association with red slip or painted decoration. Few red-slipped vessels are found with cream slipping, however. The cream slip is applied to the exterior of the vessel neck and frequently to the exterior of the upper third of the vessel body.

Mica-temper Pastes

Paste 4. Unslipped orange paste with predominant mica-temper. The surface is sandy and characterized by a high content of mica. The content of nonmica-temper is very low, but the quantity of this temper and to a lesser degree the quantity of mica varies greatly.

Paste 5. Dark red-grey paste with predominant mica temper. Similar to the previous paste, the only difference being firing conditions. Many mica-temper sherds have one color on the exterior and the other on the interior.

Paste 6. Mica-temper paste (Paste 4 or 5) with red slip.

Paste 7. Mica-temper paste (Paste 4 or 5) with cream slip. This is often associated with Paste 6, as described for Pastes 2 and 3.

Paste 8. Mica-temper paste (Paste 4 or 5) with black slip. This is generally a finer paste than the preceding, with almost no nonmica inclusions. It is found in very small quantities at Huánuco Pampa.

Carbon-temper Pastes

Paste 9. Orange paste with carbon temper. A very hard paste with a porous surface and very dense inclusion that appears to be carbon, similar to a hard and impure form of graphite. The exterior is normally orange, but the interior is normally dark grey, indicating a relatively deficient firing. The exterior can also be grey in some cases. The mica and nonmica inclusions so predominant in the preceding pastes are not prominent in this paste.

Paste 10. Grey-white-cream paste with carbon-temper. This may be a variant of Paste 9, but this has yet to be demonstrated. Fragments of this paste tend to be thinner than fragments of Paste 9. For analysis, the two wares are generally combined.

Other Coded Pastes

Paste 11. Black-washed paste. A very fine paste lacking any of the inclusions discussed above. This paste is distinguished by polished (and probably washed) interior and exterior surfaces. This paste is rare and was probably not produced locally.

Paste 12. Crude orange paste. A paste with sandy texture, usually rather thick. The nonmica inclusions are notably larger than in pastes 1, 2, and 3, while mica content is very low or absent.

Paste 13. Sandy orange paste. A sandy paste, usually of a brilliant orange color, distinguished by a lack of prominent inclusions. Fragments of this paste tend to be thinner than the preceding pastes.

Paste 14. “Spongy” paste. A relatively uncommon paste. Sherds have a very rough consistency and of an orange-grey color, depending on firing. Its most notable characteristic is its porous quality and low density.

Paste 15. Post-Incaic Paste “C.” A very thick paste; frequently vessel walls exceed 2 cm and surfaces are very rough. The color varies between grey and reddish orange. Its occurrence in zones of the site known to have Spanish occupation and higher frequencies of iron artifacts and glazed ceramic suggests a post-conquest date.

In addition to these 15 categories, several “other” categories were coded, but without a specific description, these cannot be considered to follow systematic analytical protocols. Paste categories for feature pottery can be analyzed in the same ways described for the nonfeature collection, but because the sample includes decorated pottery and focuses on sherd counts instead of weight, the two databases should be studied separately for paste/temper and slipping.

Decoration

The sample of decorated feature sherds is small (2.13%, 1200/56301), and presents the same basic analytical limitations described for nonfeature pottery. The following are general descriptions of stylistic designations made in the code:

Huánuco Pampa Polychrome A (HPPA) (figs. a.1–2): This style is a local or provincial version of Rowe’s Cuzco Polychrome A (Rowe, 1944: 47). The actual location of production probably varies, and is unknown. As Rowe describes it, Polychrome A comprises a suite of decorative motifs found on different parts of a vessel, including the neck (Banded Neck or Cross-hatched Neck), back shoulder (Waved Shoulder, Cross Shoulder), front center (Lattice A), and front side (Fern Design). White or cream paint are not commonly used on these vessels, and designs are frequently painted onto an unslipped buff-colored surface. HPPA identifications were made on the basis of one or more of the Polychrome A motifs present on a feature sherd, despite the fact that such designs are not exclusively correlated.

Figure a.1. HPPA designs on a narrow-mouth jar.

Figure a.2. HPPA sherd decorated with Lattice A decoration.

Huánuco Pampa Polychrome B (HPPB): This style is a local or provincial version of Rowe’s Cuzco Polychrome B (Rowe, 1944: 47). As with HPPA, there is no evidence that the sample of this style originates at the site or comes from a single production site. Like Polychrome A, variant B is also made up of a suite of decorations from different vessel parts: neck (Diamond Neck, Banded Neck), back shoulder (Waved Shoulder, Cross Shoulder), front center (Concentric Diamonds, Lattice B), and front side (Stripe and Triangle). Polychrome B vessels tend to have more red slip and a more frequent use of cream or white paint.

Huánuco Pampa Polychrome with Figures (HPPF) (figs. a.3–4): This designation corresponds to Rowe’s Cuzco Polychrome Figured, which he described (1944: 48) thus: “All the shapes of Cuzco Polychrome occur occasionally with designs which area either combinations of Cuzco Polychrome patterns and human, plant, or animal figures, or which have the figures alone.” This general designation can include some unusual pieces from the Inka imperial heartland, as well as provincial styles from diverse regions, including Ica and the Titicaca Basin. In general, this category is treated as Inka provincial pottery.

Figure a.3. HPPB designs on a narrow-mouth jar.

Figure a.4. Narrow-mouth jar neck with HPPB diamond design (scale = 10 cm).

Circular Incised (fig. a.5): In contrast to Inka designs, which are generally painted, two incised designs were coded at Huánuco Pampa. While not well known, they were thought to represent local decorative styles. Circular incised pottery consists of patterns carved into a vessel wall prior to firing. The best-preserved examples of this decoration are bands of circular incisions (with diameter between 7 and 10 mm), located at the base of the vessel neck or at the rim.

Figure a.5. Circular incised decoration from Huánuco Pampa (scale = 5 cm).

Crossed-line Incised (figs. a.6–7): This pattern is also thought to have been a local decoration. It consists of patterns of crossed straight lines (1–2 cm wide) located on the vessel body. Based on notes from the project, it is difficult to assess the degree of variation to be found within this category. Numbers 6–9 were used for open and “other” decoration, and these account for more than 500 decorated feature sherds. As noted above, a coding of 6 may correspond to “Huánuco Pampa Red and White,” which was coded as paste category 21 for nonfeature pottery. This corresponds to Rowe’s (1944: 48) Cuzco Red and White, which are described as vessels that are entirely slipped red, white, or with a combination of the two. Such a designation complicates the overall coding of vessel slipping, and since it was added after the production of the original codebook, this decoration is generally excluded from detailed discussion of decorated pottery.

The other designations (7–9) are not well understood, and not all examples of these sherds are drawn or photographed. One of the greatest limitations to the ceramic analysis of the Huánuco Pampa project was the imperfect understanding of regional stylistic variations across the Inka empire, and the relatively small sample size constrains analysis further (although this can be mitigated somewhat by combining feature and nonfeature decorated pottery).

Figure a.6. Examples of local incised pottery (scale = 5 cm).

Figure a.7. Examples of “other” decoration from Huánuco Pampa (scale = 10 cm).

Vessel Burning or Sooting

Each feature sherd was coded for presence/absence of burning or soot deposits on the vessel interior and exterior, allowing us to compare patterns of burning for different parts of the site, and for different paste and vessel types. High rates of burnt or sooty sherds may be used as one line of evidence to designate areas where cooking might have taken place, although it may also signal areas that experienced postoccupational burning. In many cases, the critical study of burning or soot deposit on pottery requires considering the proportion of burnt feature sherds coming from slipped or decorated vessels, as well as the abundance of vessels not normally used for cooking activities (e.g., plates, bowls, cups). Soot deposits on surfaces that would not normally be exposed to the hearth might also indicate burning not related to cooking. In most proveniences, elevated carbonization rates are not sufficient to demonstrate cooking activity.

Vessel Form

Identification of vessel forms from feature sherds was coded during laboratory analysis (fig. a.8). In the case of vessel form, a stratified identification system was employed, using vessel categories, vessel forms, and vessel subforms. These are described below, and where appropriate, are based on Rowe’s (1944: 48) Cusco typology, which is itself based on Valcárcel’s (1934–1935) work (cf. Bingham, 1915). Categories include jars, ollas, bowls, plates, drinking vessels, and lids.

Jars are distinguished from ollas on the basis of the ratio of vessel height to diameter, rather than any related function, and the plate/bowl distinction derives from the degree of curvature of the vessel (fig. a.9). Functional differences are found between forms, and perhaps in various subforms. In the case of subforms, definition was made principally based on differences in rim form, and often may signal a degree of variability of execution. New subforms were defined during the laboratory process, and with the complexity of the vessel typology, it is likely that many apparent subform distribution patterns across the site are spurious and due to interobserver error.

Figure a.8. Rim profiles for selected vessel forms, grouped by vessel category.

Figure a.9. Rim profiles for selected jar forms.

Category 1: Jars (18 Total Subtypes)

Form 1 (fig. a.10): Narrow-mouth jars (sometimes called “aryballoids”): 5 subtypes. Local version of Rowe’s Form A. Each jar has two perforated protuberances on the rim, one cylindrical protuberance and two more vertical ones on the body, and a pointed base. This form is commonly slipped, and its excavation contexts indicate a wide range of functions, including storage and serving.

Figure a.10. Form 1 jar (miniature) from the IIB palace (scale = 5 cm).

Form 2: Jars with strap handles applied on the rim: 4 subtypes. The neck is wider and the rim less pronounced than Form 1. A local version of Rowe’s Form B. There are no rim protuberances, and the use of slipping is common.

Form 3 (fig. a.11): Large jar with less pronounced rim and wider neck than Form 1, referred to in this volume as a wide-mouth jar: 4 subtypes. The angle of curvature of the neck is greater than that of Form 2, although this may be a function of the greater size of Form 3. The base of this form is flat or slightly pointed. In general, the form is similar to Rowe’s Form C, although the handles are applied horizontally in pairs on the lower part of the vessel body, while Rowe’s Form C has a single large handle, as in the miniature jar shown in the photograph (fig. a.11). In the Huánuco Pampa collection, the vessel form is either oval or ovoid. This form is rarely slipped.

Figure a.11. Form 3 jar (miniature) from the IIB palace (scale = 5 cm).

Form 4: Wide-mouth jar, or “tinaja”: 4 subtypes. Rims of this form come from large vessels that have their maximum diameter at the mouth. This form is found at smaller scale as cups, but is included with jars because of its size. Vessel height is approximately twice the diameter of the base, and more or less equal to the diameter of the mouth. The base is flat. These vessels are rare (only a single complete example was found in the excavations), and appear to lack protuberances or handles.

Form 5: Open category for other jar forms.

Category 2: Ollas (12 Total Subtypes)

For the purposes of this project, “olla” is defined as a vessel that is wider than it is tall, with limited narrowing at the neck/mouth (as compared to Category 1, jars) (fig. a.12). In determination of its function, size is more important than form. Some small vessels with this rim form could have been used as bowls.

Figure a.12. Rim profiles for selected olla forms.

Figure a.13. Rim profiles for selected bowl, plate, and cup forms.

Form 6: Flat-based olla: 3 subtypes. These pots have almost vertical walls, with two horizontal strap handles, similar to Rowe’s Form F.

Form 7: Pot with angular rim: 3 subtypes. The rim is somewhat narrow, the wide part of the vessel being the lower portion of the body. This form is similar to Form 6 with the exception that the angle of the vessel walls with respect to the rim is almost 90° in Form 6, while in Form 7 this angle exceeds 100°. This is similar to Rowe’s Form J, which has a wide strap handle and an appliquéd adornment on the side opposite the handle. Some, but not all, of the pots in this category have a pedestal base.

Form 8: “Trough” pot with well-defined rim: 2 subtypes. Usually large (with respect to the rim diameters of 10–30 cm for forms 6 and 7, the largest of this category measure 50 cm) with flat base and walls that open from their vertical axis. Has two horizontal strap handles. Frequently of a paste with thick nonmica inclusions and usually covered in a fine red slip. The walls are rather thick and show an uneven firing.

Form 9: Pot with curving rim. A pot with neck and rim in a continuous curve without defined angles. The vessel walls are somewhat more vertical than those of Form 7.

Form 10: Other pot form, not described in the coding manual.

Form 11: Other pot form, not described in the coding manual.

Form 12: Other pot form, not described in the coding manual.

Category 3: Bowls (6 Total Subtypes)

Bowls are vessels that lack a narrowing neck and mouth, with a diameter much larger than vessel height. Bowls generally have flat bases, a characteristic lacking in plates.

Form 13: Bowl with continuously curving walls: 2 subtypes.

Form 14: Stepped bowl. Bowl with stepped walls, not in a continuous curve.

Form 15: Other bowl form, not described in the coding manual.

Form 16: Other bowl form, not described in the coding manual.

Figure a.14. Form 15 bowl from Zone IIB palace (scale = 5 cm).

Figure a.15. Form 13 plate from Zone IIB palace (scale = 5 cm).

Category 4: Plates (14 Total Subtypes)

The difference between plates and bowls is particularly difficult to establish, especially when the distinctive handles found on plates are absent. Basically, the difference is in the degree of concavity, which must be precisely defined. Plates are flatter forms, while bowls tend to be more concave.

Form 17: Plate with thickened rim: 4 subtypes.

Form 18: Plates with pointed or angular rim: 4 subtypes.

Form 19: Plates with squared rim: 4 subtypes.

Form 20: Other plate form, not described in the coding manual.

Form 21: Other plate form, not described in the coding manual.

Figure a.16. Form 19 plate from Zone IIB palace (scale = 5 cm).

Category 5: Cups

Form 22: Drinking vessel (kero): 3 subtypes. Rims of tall, thin, straight-sided vessel.

Category 6: Lids

Form 23: Jar lids: 4 subtypes. These tend to be associated with the narrow-mouth jar form (Form 1). At times, these are hard to distinguish from plate rim fragments.

In addition to rim sherds, diagnostic handle and base sherds were also coded for vessel form, and where possible, identification of these diagnostics was made using the same vessel typology as introduced for rim sherds.

SUMMARY

The ceramic collection from Huánuco Pampa is one of the largest and most intensively studied samples of Inka pottery. The collection of nonfeature sherds was consistently sampled and provides invaluable perspectives on the distribution of paste and temper categories across the site, as well as characteristics of slipping and decoration. Feature sherds provide an unprecedented depth and breadth of data for specific vessel forms found in archaeological contexts (rather than museum collections). As further studies of the Huánuco Pampa excavations progress, the site will provide important baseline data for comparison with other Inka contexts across the Andes.