Shellfish Resources and Maritime Economy at Caylán, Coastal Ancash, Peru

Abstract

This article explores the relationships between mollusk exploitation and maritime economies in ancient coastal Peru. Data are drawn from the analysis of shell remains from the Early Horizon center of Caylán (800–1 cal BC), a large urban settlement interpreted as the primary center of a multi-tiered polity located in the Nepeña Valley, coastal Ancash. Excavations in 2009 and 2010 yielded a large amount of faunal remains including 220 kg of shell remains for more than 100,000 MNI. Taxonomic and quantitative analyses of the shell remains bring insights into patterns of exploitation, consumption, discard, and ritual use. Results indicate an emphasis on locally available mollusk species linked to the exploitation of different near-shore and coastal settings. The sample is dominated by small clams and mussels pertaining to the Donax spp., Perumytilus purpuratus, and Semimytilus algosus taxa. Intrasite distributions argue for social differences associated with the access to certain species used in maritime industries. Broader comparative perspectives from the Andean coast indicate variations in maritime subsistence strategies linked to the development of different forms of socioeconomic interactions and redistributive systems through time.

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