Archeometric characterization of pre-Hispanic beads and ceramics from Huanchaco by physical techniques and methods

ABSTRACT The present study is concerned with the characterization of archaeological materials of beads and ceramics, from the archaeological sites "Iglesia Colonial" and "Pampa La Cruz" of Huanchaco, respectively. The beads of "Iglesia Colonial" were recorded in funerary contexts of the Chimu Inca Period (1450-1532 A.D.) and Early Colonial Period (1532-1650 A.D.). The importance of studying this site lies in understanding the evolution of human occupation between the Inca transition and the arrival of the Spaniards to the north coast of Peru. In the “Pampa La Cruz” site, tombs containing beads and ceramic vessels prepared with the decorative technique of “the negative" were discovered. In this work fragments of the ceramics of this site were investigated, its mineralogical composition was determined qualitatively and quantitatively. This information would help to identify the possible source of clays used for the preparation of the vessels, which, in turn, could help determine if the vessels came from various places, or if the site's inhabitants themselves processed them.