An Early House from Chilca, Peru

A semisubterranean cane and grass house was recently excavated at the site of Chilca on the central coast of Peru. The context in which it was found, as well as its associated radiocarbon date of 5370 ± 120 B.P., indicates that the house was made by early preceramic horticulturists. Seven burials we...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American antiquity 1964-10, Vol.30 (2Part1), p.137-144
Main Author: Donnan, Christopher B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Architecture
Bags
Bones
Canes
Excavations
Grasses
Houses
Middens
Shelters
Weft
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Summary:A semisubterranean cane and grass house was recently excavated at the site of Chilca on the central coast of Peru. The context in which it was found, as well as its associated radiocarbon date of 5370 ± 120 B.P., indicates that the house was made by early preceramic horticulturists. Seven burials were found inside. The remarkable state of preservation in which the house was found provided sufficient data for a full-scale reconstruction of the structure. This small, conical, beehive-type house is the earliest artificial shelter yet reported from Peru.
ISSN:0002-7316
2325-5064
DOI:10.2307/278845