ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE ANDES

 

In this course you will explore the prehistory of South America from its earliest peopling to the Spanish Conquest.  We will particularly focus on the rise of civilization in the ancient Andes.  During the course of the term you will examine current topics of debate in South American Archaeology including: the controversial evidence for early man in South America, the role the dramatic Andean environment played in shaping ancient lifeways, the origin of domesticated plants and animals, and the rise of various complex societies including the Moche, Tiwanaku, Wari, Chimu, and Inca.  The Spanish Conquest and the early Colonial Period will also be discussed.

 

This course is generally offered every other Fall semester and an approximate schedule of topics is listed below.

                                           

 

Week

 

Topics

 

 

1

 

Introduction

 

Andean Environment, Geography, and Culture

 

2

 

Quiz 1 (Map Quiz)

The Incas and their Ancestors

   Video:  Inca, Secrets of the Ancestors

 

The Inca Model of Statecraft

 

3

 

A History of South American Archaeology

 

The First Inhabitants of South America

   Video:  The First Americans

 

4

 

Andean Preceramic Ceremonialism

   Video: The Oldest Mummies in the World

 

Reaction Essay I Due

Andean Preceramic Economies

   Video: The Making of Mankind: Settling Down

 

5

 

Quiz 2

Initial Period: Introduction

  

Initial Period: State Level Society???

 

6

 

The Early Horizon

 

Florescence and Collapse of Chavín

 

7

 

Early Intermediate Period: Nazca

   Video:  Mysteries of Peru, The Lines

 

Reaction Essay II Due

 

8

 

Quiz 3

Early Intermediate Period: Moche

     Origins of the Moche State

 

     Moche Rulers and their Demise

        Video:  Tombs of Sipán

 

9

 

Early Cultures of the Altiplano and the Rise of Tiwanaku

 

Agricultural Foundations of Tiwanaku

 

10

 

Quiz 4

Middle Horizon States

     Tiwanaku

        Video: Lost Empire of Tiwanaku

 

Reaction Essay III Due

     Wari

 

11

 

Late Intermediate Period

     The Kingdom of Chimú

 

     Administration of Chimu Political Economy

        Video: Mysteries of Peru,Enigma of the Ruins

 

12

 

Quiz 5

The Inca Empire

   Video: Inca Mummies, Secrets of a Lost World

 

Thanksgiving Break - No Class

 

13

 

Inca Economy

  

Inca Technology

   Video:  Secrets of Lost Empires, Inca

 

14

 

The Spanish Conquest

   Video: Conquistadors Part 2: Conquest of the Inca

 

Reaction Essay IV Due

The Early Colonial Period

   Video: Conquistadors Part 3: Search for El Dorado

 

15

 

Quiz 6

 

16

 

Critical Book Review Due