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155 Chapter 9 o The Wari State, Its Use of Ancestors, Rural Hinterland, and Agricultural Infrastructure Frank Meddens and Nicholas Branch W hile the other chapters in the volume describe the changes that occurred during the Middle Horizon in places outside of the central highlands of Peru, this chapter describes what happened in a valley located relatively close to the Wari heartland. Evidence from the Chicha-Soras Valley indicates that the first appearance of Wari-affiliated sites set in large-scale terraced agricultural systems occurred during Middle Horizon Epoch 2 (Knobloch 1991). The dating of this event is based on the presence of Middle Horizon Epoch 2 ceramic styles, such as Viñaque, Huamanga, and Black Decorated, as well as 14 C dates from terrace construction sequences (Branch et al. 2007; Kemp et al. 2006). The Wari expansion into the area was associated with rapid population increase and intensified exploitation of the little-used region. Pollen records from the Chicha Valley indicate a noticeable increase of Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae and the presence of a lesser Zea mays component. These data are likely symptomatic of agricultural terraces used to grow quinoa and, to a lesser extent, maize (Branch et al. 2007; Kemp et al. 2006; Silva 2005). The maintenance of the terraces continued in this area beyond the lifespan of Wari. Since we have discussed the changes in agricultural production elsewhere (Keeley and Meddens 1993; see alsoBranchetal.2007;Kempetal.2006),thediscussion in this chapter focuses on how the area was administered throughthemanipulationofritualpracticeswithoutthe benefitofaWariadministrativecenter.Themanagement of the Chicha-Soras Valley’s agricultural base appears to have been rooted in a religious political structure emphasizing the importance of kin relations and ancestor veneration. This is evidenced by the early presence of a D-shaped temple structure at the site of Yako, its association with burials, and the establishment of the prominent communal cave tomb of Charrangochayoc. The swift abandonment of Yako at the end of Middle Horizon Epoch 2, as well as that of several minor sites elsewhere in the valley, appears to be coupled with the collapse of central Wari control. This loss of political cohesion is particularly manifest at Yako, a state installation that linked the periphery to the core by manipulating concepts of sacred space. Although abandonment of all occupation sites and the complete disruption of the agricultural infrastructure appears to have been widespread elsewhere in Ayacucho and Apurimac, the disruption of the agricultural infrastructure and wider demography of the Chicha-Soras Valley at the end of Middle Horizon Epoch 2, though indicative of the Wari loss of central control, was relatively limited. 156 FR A NK MEDDENS A ND NICHOLAS BR A NCH The Chicha-Soras Valley under Wari Control Although a few Middle Horizon 1B sherds have been found in the Chicha-Soras Valley, it appears that habitation sites and the introduction of terrace-supported agricultural systems date to Middle Horizon Epoch 2 (Branch et al. 2007; Kemp et al. 2006; Knobloch 1991). Evidence for dating these remains to this epoch is particularly strong at Chiqnajota and Yako, but a small number of dispersed hamlets, extensive terraced agricultural systems, and tombs on the valley slopes also date to this period. Middle Horizon Epoch 2 Sites Yako is located on the west bank of the Chicha River, at an altitude of about 3,330 m above sea level and at 14º 11" 03' S, 73º 33" 22' E (Figure 9.1). It measures approximately 0.65 ha with the remains of four structures present (Figure 9.2). Two of these building are almost circular and have diameters of approximately 7 m and 8.5 m. In between these two, the corner of an additional structure can be detected. There are also about fifteen mounds of rubble, broken pottery, and stone tools. The mounds of rubble measure from 5 to 7 m in diameter and stand up to 3 m above the surrounding ground surface. A D-shaped structure is the largest surviving building . It was originally observed during fieldwork carried out between 1978 and 1982 prior to D-shaped structures having been recognized as a distinct type of Wari architecture. When first reported, no conclusions were reachedregardingthebuilding’sshapeandconfiguration (Meddens1985:114,1991:215).Uponreexamination,some of the structural elements originally recognized proved to be parts of wall collapse rather than original construction .Thoughtheoutlineofanichewasobserved,itsstate of preservation was so bad that the measurements taken at the time later proved to be incorrect. In 1999 the site was revisited. Continued displacement of the...

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