Coastal–highland relationships were important in the development, expansion, and collapse of ancient societies in Nasca, Peru. Connections between the regions began with the earliest occupants and extended through Inca rule; they consisted of the exchange of goods, sharing of ideas, migration, and political dominance. By the end of the Early Intermediate period (Late Nasca, AD 500–650), highland relationships intensified, and during the Middle Horizon (AD 650–1000), Nasca for the first time came under highland control as the Wari Empire brought transformations to the region. By the end of the Middle Horizon, Wari had collapsed, and much of the Nasca drainage was abandoned. People emigrated from the region, probably because of drought coupled with political and social instability. When Nasca was repopulated (ca. AD 1200) in the Late Intermediate period, a new type of society developed that was likely the result of large numbers of highland immigrants.

Structure M13-1 is a public monumental building in the heart of ancient El Perú-Waka’, Petén, Guatemala, and is the location of Burial 61, an entombed Late Classic (seventh-century) ruler. In this report, we discuss mortuary evidence that we believe permits identification of the interred as the historically known queen, Lady K'abel.

En este trabajo examinamos los vínculos existentes entre una serie de cambios arquitectónicos-espaciales que tuvieron lugar en el ingenio azucarero Lastenia durante las últimas décadas del siglo diecinueve y las dinámicas sociales que caracterizaron a la industria azucarera en estos años. Para ello, analizamos una serie de viviendas destinadas a obreros y propietarios de la unidad productiva, apoyándonos en metodologías procedentes de la arqueología histórica, la arquitectura, el diseño y el análisis arqueológico de configuraciones espaciales. Los resultados obtenidos indican que el entorno fabril estudiado estuvo caracterizado por relaciones sociales jerárquicas, de control social y disciplinarias que quedaron plasmadas a nivel arquitectónico y en la distribución espacial de las estructuras analizadas. Si bien el estudio de las relaciones sociales en contextos agroindustriales azucareros ha sido desarrollado desde disciplinas como la historiografía, ha recibido poca atención por parte de la arqueología.

After decades of study, much remains unknown about the foraging practices of the earliest inhabitants of Puerto Rico. Here, we present an analysis of the malacological assemblages of two neighboring and (partially) contemporary early sites from the island's southwest, finding intriguing intersite differences in shellfish collection practices. We attribute this diversity to differences in site type, chronology, or changes in local coastal configuration. This work not only provides insights into prehistoric Puerto Rican foraging dynamics but also demonstrates the importance of considering factors including intra-age chronology, site type, and changes in paleoenvironmental conditions when considering ancient foraging practices.

Recent excavations at the site of Gallon Jug, a minor center in northwestern Belize, revealed multiple patolli boards incised into a well-preserved plaster floor in an unvaulted platform. A significant artifact deposit was placed directly on top of the patolli boards. In this report we describe the architectural context, associated artifact deposit, and the patolli boards themselves.

Only five years ago, Montserrat was a blank spot on the distribution map of islands in the Lesser Antilles where petroglyphs were known. In January 2016, hikers in Soldier Ghaut, a deeply incised watercourse in the northwest of the island, came upon a panel of nine petroglyphs engraved on a nearly vertical wall of volcanoclastic tuff. Soon afterward the petroglyphs were documented by the Survey and Landscape Archaeology on Montserrat project (SLAM). Then in January 2018 an additional petroglyph was spotted on a large slab of rock, detached from the rock wall on the opposite side of the ghaut. At the invitation of the Montserrat National Trust (MNT) and with European Union funding, Susana Guimarães and Christian Stouvenot traveled to Montserrat in 2018 to assist in further studies at the site. They conducted photogrammetric documentation and photography under enhanced lighting conditions and inspected the petroglyphs and their context in detail in order to advise MNT about their conservation and provisions for public access. This report presents this new group of petroglyphs and their landscape setting and considers questions of dating and interpretation.

As insignia of power and prestige, Inka unku (tapestry tunics) communicated the strength and extent of Inka sociopolitical hegemony in the Andes. Of the 36 known full-size examples in museum collections, only one, found in Argentina, comes from outside Peru. This article investigates another recently excavated unku found out of context on Chile's northernmost coast. To confirm its authenticity, we compiled a database showing the technical and stylistic attributes of previous finds for comparison. We conclude that this artifact is indeed a new type of unku and that the discovery affects our understanding of the complex relationship between the people of this province and the Inka state.

Early Spaniards reported that the Inka state organized public celebrations involving extravagant banquets and drinking, in addition to singing and dancing. Cieza de León and Cobo noted that large number of llamas were slaughtered for such special celebrations. Although it is understood that food was an integral part of the festivities and that the Inka state used food as a political tool, until recently the meal preparation details for such large gatherings remained unknown. Recent archaeological excavation at Tambo Viejo revealed the presence of earthen ovens, similar in fashion to contemporary pachamanka, that were used for cooking at Inka state public celebrations.

Se presentan los resultados del examen de un perfil estratigráfico ubicado en el sureste del Complejo Maranga-Lima, en el valle bajo del Rímac. Las evidencias recuperadas permiten fechar la ocupación de dicho sector entre los 620 dC y los 780 dC. Se analiza también la geomorfología vinculada con la ocupación humana, que incluyó eventos aluviales asociados con su abandono. También se analiza una columna palinológica que sugiere un ecosistema semi-árido impactado por el establecimiento de Maranga.

El presente trabajo da a conocer materiales cerámicos y líticos excavados del sitio arqueológico de Bolonkin, localizado al norte de Chiapas, México. A pesar del grave saqueo del que ha sido objeto el lugar, la naturaleza de los materiales hallados permite discutir aquí acerca del estatus sobresaliente de este sitio y sobre la participación que habría tenido en las redes de intercambio del occidente del área maya durante el Clásico tardío.

Recent investigations at Cahal Pech, Belize, documented a previously unrecognized Middle Preclassic (700–500 cal BC) E-Group complex. Located in an open public plaza, the monumental complex likely functioned as a forum for communal public events. In the Late Preclassic, the E-Group was replaced by an ancestor shrine where several royal tombs are located, as well as buildings separating public civic space from private elite space. These shifts in monumental construction temporally track the development of ideological manifestations of power and provide evidence for the formalization of dynastic rulership by an emerging elite class.

To understand Middle Preclassic social processes at Cahal Pech, we must consider the dynamic and complex record of architectural development in its entirety.

We thank our colleague for his comment, address concerns raised, and encourage future collaborative research to answer important questions about the Middle Preclassic at Cahal Pech.