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In 2011 and 2012 we excavated in six residential compounds and two cemeteries at Machu Llaqta.  Excavations involved broad horizontal exposures to expose house floors, exterior use surfaces, middens and small non-residential structures.  The aim was to gain a better understanding of the use of space within a residential compound and to clarify the kinds of differences that existed between compounds. Excavations in the tombs focused on defining tomb architecture and then carefully excavating the contents of the subterranean cist.

Some highlights included:

1. •Floors, floors, floors! Residential floors had

   

   
   

   Excavating an oven.

    

   many artifacts in situ: grinding stones, ceramics, spindle whorls, etc.  “Messy” contexts like these clarify the activities that were associated with different structures and parts of structures. We also excavated several baked earth ovens.  Ovens are present in a little over half of the domestic structures excavated to date, showing most families used more than one structure for different purposes. 
   
2. •Copper or copper-bronze artifacts were relatively common in residential structures. 

   

   They included adornments (sequins, tupus, and small bell-shaped pendants, such as the one to the right), a probable knife, and a large chisel Small bits of slag and vitrified furnace lining demonstrate that Machu Llaqta’s inhabitants were engaged in smelting.  A small informal copper mine is found at the base of the site and may have been exploited in the past.
   

3. •Evidence of an intensive Formative occupation at Machu Llaqta, especially, but not exclusively, in the southern portion of the site.  The Formative component includes tombs, floors, probable feasting events, and massive fill episodes.
   

 

Informes available upon request.