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On September 17, 2011, the Pre-Columbian Society held its 18th annual symposium. This year's topic, "The Dawn of Andean Civilization," was addressed by six noted scholars who provided information about recent finds and interpretations of the early developments in the geographic region that is now Peru and Bolivia.
Tom Dillehay of Vanderbilt University, who served as moderator, spoke about a "boom" in the Andes that took place 4,000-5,000 years ago at various sites. Tom gave an extensive overview of the beginning of sedentism and other developments during the pre-ceramic phases.
Tom was followed by Peruvian archaeologist Alejandro Chu, who focused his remarks on the very early site of Bandurria (human occupation documented from 3350 BCE). Bandurria is north of Lima on Peru's Central Coast. Chu found evidence for permanent households and monumental architecture, pointing to the early emergence of social complexity.
Next, Tom and Shelia Pozorski of the University of Texas/Pan American spoke about the importance of the Casma Valley in the development of early Andean civilization. Tom discussed the research they have conducted at several inter-related sites, including Sechin Alto, one of the largest constructions in the New World for the Initial Period.
Shelia reviewed the existence and significance of the square-room modular architectural form found at sites such as Pampa de Las Llamas-Moxeke.
Christine Hastorf turned her attention to the area around Lake Titicaca,where she examined the emphasis on ceremonial structures, including trapezoidal sunken enclosures, and reflected on the meaning that landscape may have had to people of the Formative Period.
Fresh from fieldwork at the northern site of Chavin de Huantar, John Rick of Sanford University showed the extensive network of beautifully constructed underground channels at that site and considered the rate that water movement may have played in making Chavin a substantial ceremonial center.
Richard Burger from Yale University brought the symposium to a close by discussing what he and Lucy Salazar call the Manchay culture on the Central Coast of Peru during the Initial Period.
Over 150 people were in attendance at this symposium, making it one of the largest audiences ever for a Pre-Columbian Society event. Next year's symposium is scheduled from Saturday, September 15th at the Nay Memorial. Topic to be determined.