FORMATIVE PERIOD AND MIDDLE HORIZON OCCUPATIONS AT THE HUARACANE SETTLEMENT OF YAHUAY ALTA IN THE MIDDLE MOQUEGUA VALLEY, PERU

The issue of late Huaracane contemporaneity with Wari and Tiwanaku colonies in Moquegua valley has been particularly vexing for researchers. No currently published radiocarbon dates can confirm that Huaracane settlements in the valley were occupied after AD 340. Yet until recently, no dates were taken from domestic contexts. During the 2006 field season, eight new radiocarbon dates were taken from the Huaracane settlement of Yahuay Alta. The contexts for these dates and how they fit within the established regional chronology will be discussed. This research represents an important step towards understanding the relationship between indigenous Huaracane agriculturalists and Middle Horizon colonists.