| Research Abstract |
The Scientific Expedition to the New World of Tokai University conducted archaeological excavations at the sites of Langanuco, Patapata, and Queushu situated on the feet of the Mts. Huazcaran and Huandoy, in the District of Yungay, Department of Ancash, Peru, 2004-2007. Our researches aimed to prove our hypothesis that these high mountain sites, situated at 3000-4000m above sea level, might have been controlled, by the North-Coast people, to supply their homeland with gold ore, in connection with the explosive development of goldsmith in the north coast of Peru, between AD 10 and 14 C.
Our previous excavation had already revealed the potsherds of the North-Coast style, and a little quantity of gold in the discarded sand strata, at the site of Llanganuco. The 2004-2007 excavations clarified the site of Llanganuco had established multi-regional relations from 1000 BC, and imported marine shell from the coast. The site of Patapata yielded imported marine shell objects in the tombs constructed before AD 6 C., and many arsenic copper objects strikingly similar to those of the North-Coast styles. Thus, we could conclude these sites had long established connections with the North Coast.
The site of Queushu is a large administrative-ceremonial center with chullpas, or tomb-temples built of stone. Many potteries and potsherds were identified as the North Coast production among the complete potteries, most of which were placed as offerings along a exterior wall of the main chullpa, and potsherds excavated all over the site, suggesting the site was occupied by the North-Coast people.
Our 2004-2007 excavations resulted to bring forward the first evidence indicating the frequent visits or continuous occupations of prehistoric North-Coast people, in the highland region. The purpose of such a visit or occupation is inferred to be gold mine exploitations, although more thorough investigation should be necessary.
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