Kotosh is an

archaeological site An archaeological site is a place (or group of physical sites) in which evidence of past activity is preserved (either prehistoric or historic or contemporary), and which has been, or may be, investigated using the discipline of archaeology an ...

near the town of

Huánuco Huánuco (; qu, Wanuku) is a city in central Peru. It had a population of 196,627 as of 2017 and in 2015 it had a population of 175,068. It is the capital of the Huánuco Region and the Huánuco District. It is the seat of the diocese of Hu� ...

Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = Seal (emblem), National seal , national_motto = "Fi ...

, consisting of a series of buildings comprising six periods of continuous occupation.

Stratigraphy

Three cultural phases which preceded the Chavin culture were identified at Kotosh, #Kotosh #Wairajirca #Mito

Kotosh Period

The Kotosh Period culture stratum was situated directly beneath the Chavin culture stratum. At this stage, maize cultivation has appeared. Some Kotosh elements show links with the Chavin culture. For example; stirrup spouts, plain rocker stampings, and curvilinear ceramic designs. There are also similarities in black paint on red ceramics. Kotosh Black Polished Incised pottery is similar to Classical Chavin pottery.

Wairajirca Period

This is when the first pottery appeared. Wayrajirca pottery was originally found at its type site Wayrajirca, and it is also known from elsewhere in the northern highlands. It is characterized by the polished brown and black styles decorated with incisions and post-firing paint. The designs are simple and geometric; anthropomorphic figures be added at later periods. The Kotosh Period strongly maintained the traditions of the preceding Wairajirca Period, including the ceramic tradition.

Mito period

This was the earliest identified cultural period, which was preceramic. During this period, ''The Temple of the Crossed Hands'' was first built. The image of crossed arms is characteristic for the Kotosh temple iconography. Some

Lauricocha culture Lauricocha culture is a sequence of preceramic cultural periods in Peru's history, spanning about 5,000 years from c. 8000 to 2500 BC. The total prehistoric sequence in Peru spans 15,000 years, starting at about 13,000 BC when the first gatherer ...

stone tools were found in this period.

References

Bibliografía

* Del Busto Duthurburu, José Antonio: ''Perú preincaico'', pp. 56–58. Colección de obras escogidas de José Antonio del Busto. Lima, Empresa Editora El Comercio S.A., 2011. * Kauffmann Doig, Federico: ''Historia y arte del Perú antiguo''. Vol. 1, pp. 136–138. Lima, Ediciones PEISA, 2002. * Kaulicke, Peter: ''El Perú Antiguo I''. Los períodos arcaico y formativo, pp. 38. Colección Historia del Perú, editada por la Empresa Editora El Comercio S.A. Lima, 2010.

External links

Introduction to Kotosh site
(in Spanish, includes illustrations) {{coord, 9, 55, 51, S, 76, 16, 46, W, region:PE_type:landmark_source:kolossus-ltwiki, display=title Archaic period in the Americas Archaeological sites in Peru Archaeological sites in Huánuco Region Former populated places in Peru Chavin culture Andean preceramic