The Corral Redondo Project, Peru – Institute for Field Research

Location: , US

Season: July 14, 2019 to August 10, 2019

Application Deadline: April 5, 2019

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: http://ifrglobal.org/program/peru-corral-redondo/

Program Type:
Field school

RPA Certified:
no

Affiliation:
Institute for Field Research, Connecticut College, University of Chicago, UCLA, Getty Conservation Program

Project Director:
Dr. Maria Cecilia Lozada, Dr. Hans Barnard, Ms. Vanessa Muros

Project Description:

In January of 1943, workmen at the Chorunga Valley discovered extraordinary Wari and Inca objects at Corral Redondo. The finds included imperial Wari face-neck jars, dozens of spectacular Wari feathered textiles, silver Inca objects and high-end Inca ceramics, miniatures and textiles. The site was likely a huaca – a sacred Andean site. The nature of the recovered objects suggests that the site functioned as a capacocha, an important ritual location where high-end objects were part of elite ceremonies. This alone makes Corral Redondo an important site. The fact that such high-end objects were interred at the site over an extended period of time (AD 600-1550) suggests that Corral Redondo was remembered for centuries as a potent ceremonial location – an extremely rare occurrence in the Andes. This project will excavate the site and attempt to recover additional objects, understand its architecture and through ground survey, contextualize Corral Redondo is time and space. Students will also engage in artifact conservation at a local museum where finds from the site will be displayed as part of the community’s cultural heritage.

Period(s) of Occupation: Middle-Late Horizon

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Participants are required to stay for the full duration of the field school.

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: No prior experience is required to participate in this field school.

Room and Board Arrangements:
During the initial days of the program, students will reside at the La Casa de mi Abuela (lacasademiabuela.com) hotel in Arequipa. From there, the team will travel to Iquipi at the Ocoña Valley, where field work will take place. At Iquipi, students will stay at the local school rented by the project that will have common clean rooms. Mattresses are provided but students are responsible for linen or may use sleeping bags. All weekday meals are provided by the project and will be communal events. Meals will provide plenty of nutritious but basic food in the tradition of local cuisine. The daily diet in Peru is heavily based on rice, corn, potatoes and meat. Specialized diets (vegan, kosher, etc.) are impossible to maintain in this location. Vegetarians may attend but will find options limited. Cost: Room and board are included in the tuition for the program.

Academic Credit:
8 Semester Credits credits offered by Connecticut College. Tuition is $3,800.