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T-415A (Titicachi)

This site is a large, dense sherd scatter located on the lower slopes of the hills very near to the lakeshore in the modern community of Zapana. The scatter extends over 6.20 ha (population index value: 349), and seems, very unusually, to represent a single-component Tiwanaku Period occupation. No sherds of any other time periods were recovered after an extensive review of the surface. The slope on which the site is located faces East.

There are two probable mound constructions on the site, though both have been disturbed by plowing. One is located in the northern portion of the site, and the other in the southern. Both measure approximately 30x30 m, and a more terraces than mounds. Both stand about 2 m high on their downslope faces. The northern feature is rather uncertain, its topographical features having been effaced by agricultural activity and lacking cut stone on the surface. It could conceivable represent a more recent accumulation of stones resulting from field clearing activity, The southern feature is undoubtedly a monumental terrace, however, and several large cut stone blocks are present on the surface. One of these is of limestone, the other of andesite.

Titicachi is located approximately 750 m north of the site of Janko Kala (T-394). Janko Kala was a major center in the LF2, and earlier, but in the Tiwanaku Period was almost abandoned. The population index of that site dropped from 246 for the LF2 Sector E to a mere 84 for Sector F. At this precise time Titicachi was founded less than a kilometer away. Titicachi, therefore, almost certainly represents a relocation of the community which formerly occupied the site of Kanko Kala. Combining the population indices of the two sites we can calculate an annual population index growth rate of 0.09% for the Tiwanaku Period. This growth rate is only slightly higher than the phase average, and is directly comparable to that of Chiripa at this time. We may consider this community a secondary settlement locus, comparable to Chiripa (T-1) and Yanapata (T-123/T-130).


next up previous contents
Next: T-421G (Waka Kala) Up: Principal sites Previous: T-368E (Tilata)   Contents
Matthew Bandy 2002-06-02