Settlement and population

The settlement systems of the LF1 and the LF2 on the Taraco Peninsula are completely distinct. In the LF1, we observe population growth and the emergence of a three-tier site size hierarchy. In the LF2, however. population decreases significantly and site abandonment increases to a previously unknown rate. These differences suggest that completely distinct historical processes were operating in these two periods.

Table 7.2: Late Formative: Metrics

	LF1	LF2
Number of sites	54	51
Phase population index	5581	4387
Annual population index growth rate	0.08	-0.12
Occupation continuity index	73	60
Site founding index	59	37