Archaeological and Community Cultural Heritage Engagement Project in Nivín, Casma Ancash, Peru

Location: Casma, AN, PE

Season: June 2, 2019 to August 3, 2019

Session Dates: Season 1: June 2nd – June 29th Season 2: July 7th – August 3rd

Application Deadline: April 15, 2019

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: http://www.cccasmaperu.org

Program Type:
Field school, Volunteer

RPA Certified:
no

Affiliation:
Louisiana State University

Project Director:
Elizabeth Cruzado, PhD student, Louisiana State University and Robert Connolly, Adjunct Associate Professor, Louisiana State University

Project Description:

This archaeological field project aims to clarify the cultural affiliations of the groups that occupied the middle branch of the Casma Valley, from the Middle Horizon (A.D. 600 -1,000) to the Late Intermediate Period (A.D. 1,000 – 1,470). The project is located in the community Nivín in coastal Ancash, 23km east of the city of Casma. This valley has a complex, long-term occupation in the Peruvian coast, though specific detail of the period is lacking due to a lack of systematic research.

This project also works with the local community through their school and museum. This year we will work with the high school students in the renovation of the museum, continue with the inventory of museum artifacts, and carry out projects to enhance the community’s preservation of their cultural heritage. We work in the community based in a “co-creative” approach that addresses the expressed needs of the community based on a strategic plan developed with schoolteachers and community members. The local museum curates donated artifacts of the area’s material culture.  The museum collections provide educational opportunities for the local school and community. The co-creative perspective benefits the school, teachers and the community members in providing hands-on educational experiences, that promotes respect for democratic participation, cultural patrimony, and local individuals.

Period(s) of Occupation: Middle Horizon (A.D. 600 -1,000) and Late Intermediate Period (A.D. 1,000 – 1,470)

Notes:
This project research examines the entanglement between local groups in the Nivín region of the Casma Valley, and regional polities between 700 and 1400. Since 2016, the project started a pedestrian survey of Nivín, and documented several sites including Pan de Azúcar, El Monumento, Huaraspampa and Cerro Pacae. In 2017, the project conducted architectural mapping, limited test excavations, surface collection, and analysis of associated materials at Pan de Azúcar. In 2019, archaeological field and laboratory projects will include to mapping archaeological sites (El Monumento, Huaraspampa, and Cerro Pacae), pedestrian surveys, unit excavation, and artifact analysis. Weekend trips to nearby archaeological sites and other cultural heritage venues of the Casma Valley are included. Besides fieldwork, this research aims to promote the role of archaeology in making the past relevant to area residents, preserve cultural heritage for future generations, and strengthen local identities. For that reason, the team will assist with improvements to the local museum and develop co-creative projects for the preservation of the local 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 one hour 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. Sundays will travel to nearby archaeological sites. Meals will be provided by a locally, 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 - Transportation and accomodation while in Lima and Casma - Archaeological supplies (excluding personal gloves and trowel) - All meals and housing during fieldwork in Nivín - 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 - 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: $2500 per session