El Campanario Archaeological Project. Huarmey – Peru (Bioarchaeology and Archaeology Fieldwork)

Location: Huarmey, PE

Season: June 9, 2025 to August 15, 2025

Session Dates: Bioarchaeology Session (June 9th – July 11th) / Archaeology Session (July 14th – August 15th)

Application Deadline: February 21, 2025

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://ecaphuarmey.wixsite.com/elcampanario

Program Type:
Field School, Volunteer

RPA Certified:
No

Project Director:
Jose L. Peña Ph.D.

Project Description:

El Campanario Archaeological Project started in 2015 to understand the socio-political organization of El Campanario site during the Late Intermediate Period A.D. 1000 and 1400.  The initial excavations conducted at the El Campanario site focused on domestic structures to understand the social organization of households and the production activities conducted in these residential areas. The archaeological research at the household level revealed that the inhabitants conducted various production activities that included the manufacture of pottery, textile production, maize beer production, as well as the extraction of marine resources. In 2018, the project started the excavation of adobe (mud-brick) platforms and the cemetery which provided information about public architecture and mortuary practices. Various construction events were recorded during the excavation of the platform which indicated a period of remodeling and extension of public architecture by the local elite. In addition, excavations at the cemetery provided information about ancient people, such as mortuary practices, access to resources, and health conditions.

El Campanario project for the summer of 2025 will be organized in two separate sessions. The bioarchaeology session (June 9^th to July 11^th) will continue excavating at the pre-Hispanic cemetery of Cuzcuz, where previous excavations identified burial contexts. The archaeology session (July 14^th to August 15^th) will continue the excavation of Platform 1, a mud-brick structure containing painted walls and plastered floors where the local elite conducted public events.

El Campanario Archaeological Project will offer two separate fieldwork sections:

Bioarchaeology Session (June 9^th – July 11^th) The bioarchaeology session will consist of excavating the pre-Hispanic cemetery at the site of CuzCuz. Previous excavation at this site uncovered burial contexts containing various types of artifacts such as ceramics and textiles. Students will learn excavation methods, mapping of burial contexts, recording of artifacts, identification of human remains, ceramic analysis, paleopathologies, and estimations of sex, stature, and age.

Archaeology Session (July 14^th – August 15^th) The archaeology session will consist of the excavation of Platform 1 at the site of El Campanario. Platform 1 is a mud brick structure containing plastered walls and patios. Previous excavations at the site uncovered corridors and enclosures along with ceramics, wooden objects, and textiles. Students will learn excavation methods, mapping, recording of artifacts, material analysis (ceramic and textiles), osteology, and curation of artifacts.

Period(s) of Occupation: Late Intermediate Period (1000 - 1400 A.D.)

Notes:
The El Campanario Archeological Project started in June of 2015 in order to obtain information about household activities and social interaction among the El Campanario inhabitants. The excavation conducted at El Campanario provided significant information about the socio-political organization in the Huarmey Valley during the Late Intermediate Period. The excavation work at the site will continue in the summer of 2025 with a focus on excavating a cemetery and the adobe platform.

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 5 weeks each session

Minimum Age: 19

Experience Required: No experience is required to participate in this project.

Room and Board Arrangements:
What the cost include: pickup at Lima airport, accommodation in Lima and Huarmey, transportation from Lima to Huarmey and from Huarmey to the site, 3 meals a day for 6 days a week (5 weeks) in Huarmey, field trip to Caral (Supe Valley), Pañamarca and Sechin.  What the cost does not include: Airfare, meals while in Lima, weekend meals in Huarmey, academic credits and travel insurance, and other personal expenses. Living accommodations will be in the city of Huarmey, which is about a 15 minute drive to the El Campanario archaeological site.  Be advised that living accommodations will be basic in that the locale will have running water and electricity; internet connectivity may not be guaranteed but there are ample internet cafes located throughout the city of Huarmey. Program Cost: 2.700 US dollars

Academic Credit:
El Campanario Archaeological Project (ECAP) does not offer academic credits to participants. However, the project team leader is willing to work with students to aid them in obtaining credits through their own academic institutions.