VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for Fieldwork in the coast of Peru, January-July 2008
 
My name is Enrique Lopez-Hurtado and I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Pittsburgh. I am writing to offer volunteer opportunities for a mapping and excavation project at the site of Panquilma between January and May of 2008. Prior experience in archaeological fieldwork is desirable but not required, and advanced training will be given in mapping, survey, and excavation techniques.

The site of Panquilma is located on the central coast of Peru and was occupied during the Late Intermediate and Inka periods (ca. AD 1000-1532). The site is located in the vicinity of one of the most important religious centers of the ancient Andean world: Pachacamac. It has three clearly defined sectors – monuments, elite households, and non-elite households – and we will place excavation units in all of them. We will then plot and compare features and artifacts related to religious practices, feasting activities, and the control of economic resources in each sector of the site. The goal of the project is to understand the role of ideology in the development of social power.

All project staff will live and work in a recently completed research facility in Punta Hermosa, a small beach community located 40 km. south of Lima. The field season coincides with the Peruvian summer, and during this time the weather is quite beautiful with temperatures in the low 30’s C (or 85-88 F). A small contribution of $500 per month is requested, to contribute to defraying the costs of lodging, food and transportation to and from the site.
 
This is a great opportunity to gain experience in the field and in a foreign country, which provides its own set of challenges. Students may be able to obtain credit from their department after discussing that option with their department chair. Senior staff would be willing to discuss this with the department and provide feedback on student participation after the field season is completed.
 
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me: lel7@pitt.edu