Title
Hematite mining on the south coast of Peru: Archaeological investigations at mina primavera
Other title
[Minería de hematita en la costa sur del Perú: Investigaciones arqueológicas en mina primavera]
Date Issued
07 August 2013
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Vaughn K.J.
Van Gijseghem H.
Eerkens J.W.
Arqueocare
Abstract
Despite the fact that mining is a critical activity to obtain raw materials, very little is known about mining in the prehispanic Andes. In this paper we present evidence of ancient mining activities from Mina Primavera, a well-preserved hematite mine from Nasca, south coast of Peru dating primarily to the Early Intermediate Period (ca. A.D. 1-750) and to the Middle Horizon (ca. A.D. 750-1,000). Our excavations provide evidence not only for the extraction and processing of hematite -used in offerings and as pigments- but also provide evidence for rituals that took place in the mine. We discuss excavations conducted within the mine over several seasons, as well as our interpretations of artifacts and features found.
Start page
131
End page
142
Volume
45
Issue
1
Language
Spanish
OCDE Knowledge area
Arqueología Minería, Procesamiento de minerales Antropología
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-84880984925
Source
Chungara
ISSN of the container
07177356
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus