The ancient Andean states : political landscapes in pre-hispanic Peru

__The Ancient Andean States__ combines modern social theory, recent archaeological literature, and the experience of the author to examine politics and power in the great Andean pre-Hispanic societies. The ancient Andean states were the great shapers of Peruvian prehistory. Social complexity, architectural monumentality, and specialized economic production, among others, were features of these sophisticated societies known by professionals and travelers from around the world. How and when these states emerged and succeeded is still debated. By examining Andean pre-Hispanic societies such as Caral, Sechín, Chavín, Moche, Wari, Chimú, and Inca, this book delves into their political and economic structures as well as explores their ideological worldviews. It reveals how these societies were organized and how different social groups interacted in the states. Archaeologists and anthropologists interested in Peruvian archaeology and the political and social structures of ancient societies will find this book to be a valuable addition to their shelves. The Ancient Andean States combines modern social theory, recent archaeological literature, and the experience of the author to examine politics and power in the great Andean pre-Hispanic societies. The ancient Andean states were the great shapers of Peruvian prehistory. Social complexity, architectural monumentality, and specialized economic production, among others, were features of these sophisticated societies known by professionals and travelers from around the world. How and when these states emerged and succeeded is still debated. By examining Andean pre-Hispanic societies such as Caral, Sechín, Chavín, Moche, Wari, Chimú, and Inca, this book delves into their political and economic structures as well as explores their ideological worldviews. It reveals how these societies were organized and how different social groups interacted in the states. Archaeologists and anthropologists interested in Peruvian archaeology and the political and social structures of ancient societies will find this book to be a valuable addition to their shelves. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 List of illustrations 8 List of tables 10 Preface 11 Acknowledgments 15 1 Introduction: why and how to study the ancient Andean states 16 Part I Theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of the ancient Andean states 26 2 Previous research on the ancient Andean states in Peru 28 3 A proposal for the study of ancient Andean states 43 Part II: Case studies Section 1: the precursors of the ancient Andean states 66 4 Caral 68 5 Sechín 88 6 Chavín 109 Part II Section 2: the ancient Andean states 130 7 Moche 132 8 Wari 157 9 Chimú 181 10 Inca 204 Part III Summary 232 11 The ancient Andean states: discontinuities and continuities 234 12 Epilogue 246 Bibliography 250 Index 289 "The Ancient Andean States combines modern social theory, recent archaeological literature and the experience of the author to examine politics and power in the great Andean prehispanic societies. The Ancient Andean States were the great shapers of Peruvian prehistory. Social complexity, architectural monumentality, and specialized economic production, among others, were features of these sophisticated societies known by professionals and travellers from around the world. How and when these states emerged and succeeded is still debated. By examining Peruvian archaeological sites such as Caral, Sechín, Chavín, Moche, Wari, Chimú and Inca, this book delves into their political and economic structures as well as exploring their ideological world views. It reveals how these societies were organized and how different social groups interacted in the states. Archaeologists and anthropologists interested in Peruvian archaeology and the political and social structures of ancient societies will find this book to be a valuable addition to their shelves"-- Provided by publisher