Home Region:  Andes (South America and Caribbean)

Cuzco - Early Intermediate II

500 CE 649 CE
D G SC WF RG EQ 2020  pe_cuzco_3 / PeCuzE2
Preceding Entity: Add one more here.
200 CE 499 CE Cuzco - Early Intermediate I (pe_cuzco_2)    [absorption]

Succeeding Entity: Add one more here.
650 CE 999 CE Wari Empire (pe_wari_emp)    [elite replacement]


  General Description   The Early Intermediate Period of Andean history lasted from 400 BCE to 550 CE, [1] and is known for the emergence of regional forms of political organization, such as the Moche in northern Peru (100‒800 CE) and the Nazca in the Rio Grande de Nazca and Ica regions (100 BC‒800 CE). In the Cuzco Valley, this period saw the development of numerous chiefdoms of varying sizes. [2] One of these polities is known as Qotakalli (200‒500 CE), [3] and may have controlled an area of up to 1000 square kilometres. [4]
The period also saw a change in settlement patterns. Wimpillay no longer dominated the valley, as several new large sites grew in the west of the basin, with a possible large settlement under the modern city of Cusco. [5] New settlements grew along the lower valley slopes below 3500 metres above sea level, which archaeologist Brian Bauer interprets as evidence for population growth and a possible shift in the valley’s economy towards maize production. [6]
In the Lucre Basin further to the east, the Chanapata culture still flourished in the form of small farming villages until 600 CE: Chanapata ceramics were found in the lowest strata during excavations at the site of Choquepukio. [7] These polities may have centred around the sites of Choquepukio and Mama Qolda. [5] Furthermore, the presence of Pucara ceramics and early Tiwanaku-related wares indicate possible contacts between the Cuzco Valley polities and the Titicaca cultural sphere, perhaps through trade, but not through political assimilation. [7] [8]
Population and political organization
Although the population of the region during this period is currently impossible to determine, it is worth mentioning that 16 Qotakalli sites with an area of between 1 and 5 hectares have been surveyed, as well as 35 sites between 0.25 and 1 hectares, [9] suggesting a possible two-tiered settlement pattern. [10] The density of sites near modern Cuzco may indicate various groups of elite households interacting with each other within the Qotakalli chiefdom. [5]
The chronological boundaries between this polity and the previous one are not clear-cut. Brian Bauer designates 200-600 CE as the Qotakalli period, [3] while Alan Covey states that Qotakalli appeared around 400 CE. [4] Moreover, Covey refers to a settlement shift after 400 CE in the Sacred Valley (within our NGA, natural geographical area): before 400 CE, he says there was a small chiefdom with a three-tiered settlement hierarchy, and another one in the Cuzco Basin. After 400 CE the large villages were abandoned and new ones built at about 3500 metres above sea level. In the Sacred Valley, the abandoned sites represent 70% of the sample. Qotakalli pottery has been found at the new sites. [11] Depending on the chronology used, we could postulate either continuity or cultural assimilation of the previous polity in the Qotakalli circa 400 CE.
What can be noted with more confidence, however, is that the 6th and 7th centuries CE saw the incursion of Wari colonies into the Cuzco valley, interacting with smaller local polities in the south and west of the valley. [12] Araway ceramics may have been one of the markers of elite status, exchanged between local chiefs and Wari representatives. [13] There seems to be strong cultural continuity between the Qotakalli sites and the sites where Araway pottery is present: although Wari colonists were present in the valley, their numbers remained low and evidence suggests that they did not exert political or military dominance over other groups. [14] [15]

[1]: (Bauer 2004, 12) Brian S. Bauer. 2004. Ancient Cuzco: Heartland of the Inca. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press.

[2]: (Bauer 2004, 54) Brian S. Bauer. 2004. Ancient Cuzco: Heartland of the Inca. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press.

[3]: (Bauer 2004, 47) Brian S. Bauer. 2004. Ancient Cuzco: Heartland of the Inca. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press.

[4]: (Covey 2006, 59) Alan R. Covey. 2006. How the Incas Built Their Heartland: State Formation and the Innovation of Imperial Strategies in the Sacred Valley, Peru. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press.

[5]: (Bauer 2004, 52) Brian S. Bauer. 2004. Ancient Cuzco: Heartland of the Inca. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press.

[6]: (Bauer 2004, 53) Brian S. Bauer. 2004. Ancient Cuzco: Heartland of the Inca. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press.

[7]: (McEwan 2006, 88) Gordon F. McEwan. 2006. ’Inca State Origins: Collapse and Regeneration in the Southern Peruvian Andes’, in After Collapse: The Regeneration of Complex Societies, edited by Glenn M. Schwartz and John J. Nichols, 85-98. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona Press.

[8]: (Bauer 2004, 143) Brian S. Bauer. 2004. Ancient Cuzco: Heartland of the Inca. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press.

[9]: (Covey 2006, 60) Alan R. Covey. 2006. How the Incas Built Their Heartland: State Formation and the Innovation of Imperial Strategies in the Sacred Valley, Peru. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press.

[10]: (Bauer 2004, 51) Brian S. Bauer. 2004. Ancient Cuzco: Heartland of the Inca. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press.

[11]: (Covey 2006, 60-63) Alan R. Covey. 2006. How the Incas Built Their Heartland: State Formation and the Innovation of Imperial Strategies in the Sacred Valley, Peru. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press.

[12]: (Bauer and Covey 2002, 850) B. S. Bauer and A. R. Covey. 2002. ’Processes of State Formation in the Inca Heartland (Cuzco, Peru)’. American Anthropologist 104 (3): 846-64.

[13]: (Covey 2006, 77) Alan R. Covey. 2006. How the Incas Built Their Heartland: State Formation and the Innovation of Imperial Strategies in the Sacred Valley, Peru. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press.

[14]: (Covey 2006, 74) Alan R. Covey. 2006. How the Incas Built Their Heartland: State Formation and the Innovation of Imperial Strategies in the Sacred Valley, Peru. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press.

[15]: Alan Covey 2017, personal communication

General Variables
Social Complexity Variables
Warfare Variables (Military Technologies)
Economy Variables (Luxury Goods) Coding in Progress.
Religion Variables Coding in Progress.
Crisis Consequences Coding in Progress.
Power Transitions Coding in Progress.

NGA Settlements:

Year Range Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3) was in:
 (500 CE 649 CE)   Cuzco
Home NGA: Cuzco
General Variables
Identity and Location Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Utm Zone 18 L Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Utm Zone 19 L Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Original Name Cuzco - Early Intermediate II Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Capital Cuzco Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Alternative Name Qotakalli Period Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Alternative Name Qotakalli Chiefdom Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Temporal Bounds Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Peak Years 600 CE Confident
Loading...
Duration [500 CE ➜ 649 CE] Confident
Loading...
Political and Cultural Relations Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Suprapolity Relations alliance with [---] Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Supracultural Entity Lake Titicaca cultural sphere Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Succeeding Entity PeWari* Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Relationship to Preceding Entity continuity Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Relationship to Preceding Entity cultural assimilation Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Preceding Entity
200 CE 499 CE
Cuzco - Early Intermediate I (pe_cuzco_2)   [absorption]  Confident
Loading...
Succeeding Entity
650 CE 999 CE
Wari Empire (pe_wari_emp)   [elite replacement]  Confident
Loading...
Degree of Centralization quasi-polity Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Language Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Linguistic Family suspected unknown Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Language Genus unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Language unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Religion Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Religious Tradition unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Religion Family unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Social Complexity Variables
Social Scale Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Population of the Largest Settlement - Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Polity Territory 1,000 km2 Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Polity Population - Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Largest Communication Distance - Undecided 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Hierarchical Complexity Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Settlement Hierarchy 3 Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Professions Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Professional Soldier Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Professional Priesthood Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Professional Military Officer Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Bureaucracy Characteristics Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Specialized Government Building Unknown Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Merit Promotion Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Full Time Bureaucrat Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Examination System Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Law Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Professional Lawyer Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Judge Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Absent Inferred 500 CE  649 CE
Court Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Specialized Buildings: polity owned Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Market Absent Inferred 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Irrigation System Present Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Food Storage Site Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Transport Infrastructure Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Road Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Port Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Canal Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Bridge Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Special-purpose Sites Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Mines or Quarry Absent Inferred 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Information / Writing System Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Written Record Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Script Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Phonetic Alphabetic Writing Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Nonwritten Record Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Non Phonetic Writing Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Mnemonic Device Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Information / Kinds of Written Documents Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Scientific Literature Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Sacred Text Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Religious Literature Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Practical Literature Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Philosophy Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Lists Tables and Classification Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
History Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Fiction Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Calendar Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Information / Money Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Token Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Precious Metal Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Paper Currency Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Indigenous Coin Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Foreign Coin Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Article Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Information / Postal System Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Postal Station Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
General Postal Service Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Courier Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Information / Measurement System Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Warfare Variables (Military Technologies)
Fortifications Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Wooden Palisade Unknown Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Stone Walls Non Mortared Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Stone Walls Mortared Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Settlements in a Defensive Position Present Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Modern Fortification Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Moat Unknown Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Fortified Camp Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Earth Rampart Unknown Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Ditch Unknown Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Complex Fortification Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Long Wall absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Military use of Metals Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Steel Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Iron Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Copper Unknown Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Bronze Unknown Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Projectiles Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Tension Siege Engine Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Sling Siege Engine Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Sling Unknown Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Self Bow Present Inferred 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Javelin Unknown Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Handheld Firearm Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Gunpowder Siege Artillery Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Crossbow Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Composite Bow Absent Inferred 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Atlatl Unknown Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Handheld weapons Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
War Club Unknown Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Sword Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Spear Unknown Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Polearm Unknown Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Dagger Unknown Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Battle Axe Unknown Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Animals used in warfare Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Horse Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Elephant Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Donkey Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Dog Unknown Suspected 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Camel Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Armor Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Wood Bark Etc Unknown Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Shield Unknown Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Scaled Armor Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Plate Armor Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Limb Protection Unknown Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Leather Cloth Unknown Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Laminar Armor Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Helmet Unknown Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Chainmail Absent Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Breastplate Unknown Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Naval technology Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Specialized Military Vessel Absent Inferred 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Small Vessels Canoes Etc Unknown Confident 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Merchant Ships Pressed Into Service Absent Inferred 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Economy Variables (Luxury Goods)
Religion Variables
Moralizing Supernatural Punishment and Reward Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Moralizing Enforcement is Broad Absent Inferred 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Moralizing Supernatural Concern is Primary Absent Inferred 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Moralizing Enforcement is Agentic Absent Inferred 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Moralizing Enforcement in This Life Absent Inferred 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Moralizing Supernatural Punishment And Reward Absent Inferred 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Moralizing Religion Adopted by Commoners Absent Inferred 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Moralizing Enforcement is Targeted Absent Inferred 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Moralizing Enforcement in Afterlife Absent Inferred 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Moralizing Religion Adopted by Elites Absent Inferred 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Moralizing Enforcement of Rulers Absent Inferred 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Moralizing Enforcement is Certain Absent Inferred 500 CE  649 CE
Loading...
Human Sacrifice Cuzco - Early Intermediate II (pe_cuzco_3)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Instability Data
Power Transitions