Nivín Archaeological Project – Proyecto de Investigación Arqueológica Nivín (PIAN)

Location: Casma, PE

Season: June 2, 2018 to August 4, 2018

Session Dates: Session 1: June 2 - June 30 Session 2: July 7 - August 4

Application Deadline: March 15, 2018

Deadline Type: Rolling

Program Type:
Field school

RPA Certified:
no

Affiliation:
Louisiana State University Department of Geography and Anthropology Howe-Russell-Kniffen Geoscience Complex Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, LA 70803

Project Director:
Robert Connolly, Ph.D. Department of Geography and Anthropology Louisiana State University Elizabeth Cruzado, Ph.D. student Department of Geography and Anthropology Louisiana State University

Project Description:

The Proyecto de Investigación Arqueológica Nivín (PIAN) is an archaeological field project that aims to clarify the cultural affiliations of the groups that occupied the middle branch of the Casma Valley, from the Early Horizon (900 B.C.) to the Middle Horizon Periods (AD. 1000).  The project is located in coastal Ancash, 23km east of the city of Casma.

The Casma Valley is famous for its early ceremonial centers, mainly built during the Initial Period. Those centers attracted the attention of early archaeologists and explorers and have been the subject of sustained fieldwork primarily in the Sechín Branch of the valley. Meanwhile, the cultural sequence for the Early Horizon and Early Intermediate periods remain elusive, particularly for the Moche phase. Wilson designated Nivín as the name for the Moche phase in the Casma Valley. The southernmost monumental center with Moche style public art known today is located in the Nepeña Valley. The fieldwork and material analysis in Nivín will provide information to determine the continuous human occupation of past groups, subsistence, and consumption patterns.

This project aims to examine the material expressions of cultural identity in the Nivín region and focuses on the ways local groups articulated their artistic practices with broader sociopolitical phenomena.

Period(s) of Occupation: Early Horizon (500 B.C.) to Middle Horizon (A.D. 1000)

Notes:
PIAN project aims to understand the cultural affiliation of the groups that occupied the middle branch of the Casma Valley from the Early Horizon to the Middle Horizon Periods. Field goals include to map the sites, conduct pedestrian survey, excavate test units, analyze artifacts, and obtain samples for radiocarbon dating, During weekends participants will have the opportunity to enjoy and learn more about the culture of the Casma Valley. Also, this project aims to work with the school museum of Nivín. We will work with the high school students in the renovation of some spaces of the museum, inventory of the artifacts, and share with the community the importance of the preservation of their cultural heritage.

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 4 weeks

Minimum Age: 19

Experience Required: No experience required.

Room and Board Arrangements:
- Room and board will be arranged for participants. Living accommodations will be basic in the city of Casma. We will have running water and electricity; internet access is not guaranteed, but there are many internet cafes in the city. The city of Casma is about 50 minute drive from the Nivín community. Participants must be willing to share quarters with others (including Peruvian archaeologists), and have a general attitude of cooperation. - Workdays will be Monday to Saturday with Monday to Friday spent in the field, and Saturday in the lab. - Meals will be provided by a local place, while project participants will prepare lunch at the field. - Prior Spanish language training will enrich this experience, but is not a requirement as the course will be instructed in English. FEES INCLUDE:  - Taxi from the airport to Lima hotel.  - Archaeological supplies (excluding personal gloves and trowel).  - All bus transportation within Peru between Lima, and Casma.  - All meals and housing during fieldwork in Nivín.  - Hotel accommodation in Lima (1 night). - Entrance fees and transportation to museums in Lima, and Casma. - Two special meals: one in Lima, and one in Casma. - Hardcover field notebook and printouts of assigned readings   FEES DO NOT INCLUDE - Tuition not included - Airfare to Lima, Peru from your hometown, health/travel insurance, vaccinations, passport/visa fees, airport taxes, personal cash - Personal medicines, vitamins, sunscreen or other necessities (we will have first aid supplies) - Archaeology trowel and gardening gloves - Food during free time in Lima, and Casma. - Any additional snacks or drinks Cost: $2,600 per session

Academic Credit:
- Name of the institution offering credit: Louisiana State University (by enrolling in an Independent Study Class) - Number of credits offered: TBA credits offered by Louisiana State University. Tuition is .