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

Location: Calle Cesar Vallejo 668, Huarmey 02651, Peru

Season: June 14, 2027 to August 20, 2027

Session Dates: Bioarchaeology Session (June 14th – July 16th) / Archaeology Session (July 19th – August 20th)

Application Deadline: March 12, 2027

Deadline Type: Rolling

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

Program Type:
Field School, Volunteer

RPA Certified:
No

Project Director:
Jose L. Peña Ph.D. and Rebecca Ulloa MS.

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 2027 will be organized in two separate sessions. The bioarchaeology session (June 14^th to July 16^th) will excavate the pre-Hispanic cemetery of El Lecheral, where previous burial contexts were observed. The archaeology session  (July 19^th to August 20^th) will excavate the pre-Hispanic site of Puerto de Huarmey, a mud-brick mound containing adobe walls and clay floors.

El Campanario Archaeological Project will offer two separate fieldwork sections:

Bioarchaeology Session (June 14^th – July 16^th) The bioarchaeology session will involve excavating the pre-Hispanic cemetery at El Lecheral. Previous excavations at this site uncovered burial contexts containing various types of artifacts, such as ceramics and textiles. Students will learn excavation methods, map burial contexts, record artifacts, identify human remains, analyze ceramics, and estimate sex, stature, and age.

Archaeology Session (July 19^th – August 20^th) The archaeology session will consist of the excavation at the site of El Puerto de Huarmey. This site consists of various adobe mounds built using adobe and stones. This was probably a site associated with elite groups. Previous surveys at the site suggest that Puerto de Huarmey was occupied during the Late Intermediate Period. Students will learn excavation methods, mapping, recording of artifacts, material analysis (ceramics 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 the socio-political organization in the Huarmey Valley during the Late Intermediate Period (AD. 1000-1400). The excavation work at the site will continue in the summer of 2027 with a focus on excavating two new archaeological sites; El Lecheral and Puerto de Huarmey.

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, individual room with bathroom, 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. Living accommodations consisted in individual room with private bathroom, running water and electricity; internet connectivity may not be guaranteed but there are ample internet cafes located throughout the city of Huarmey. Program Cost: 2.800 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.