The character of conflict: A bioarchaeological study of violence in the Nasca highlands of Peru during the Late Intermediate Period (950–1450 C.E.)
Authors:
Weston C McCool, Tiffiny A Tung, Joan Brenner Coltrain, Aldo Javier Accinelli Obando, Douglas J Kennett
Abstract:
Objectives
This study uses osteological and radiocarbon datasets combined with formal quantitative
analyses to test hypotheses concerning the character of conflict in the Nasca highlands
during the Late Intermediate Period (LIP, 950–1450 C.E.). We develop and test osteological
expectations regarding what patterns should be observed if violence was characterized
by intragroup violence, ritual conflict, intermittent raiding, or internecine warfare.
Materials and methods
Crania (n = 267) were examined for antemortem and perimortem, overkill, and critical
trauma. All age groups and both sexes are represented in the sample. One hundred twenty-four
crania were AMS dated, allowing a detailed analysis of diachronic patterns in violence
among various demographic groups.
Results
Thirty-eight percent (102/267) of crania exhibit some form of cranial trauma, a significant
increase from the preceding Middle Horizon era. There are distinct trauma frequencies
within the three subphases of the LIP, but Phase III (1300–1450 C.E.) exhibits the
highest frequencies of all trauma types. Males exhibit significantly more antemortem
trauma than females, but both exhibit similar perimortem trauma rates.
Discussion
There was chronic, internecine warfare throughout the Late Intermediate Period with
important variations in violence throughout the three temporal phases. Evidence for
heterogeneity in violent mortality shows a pattern consistent with social substitutability,
whereby any and all members of the Nasca highland population were appropriate targets
for lethal and sublethal violence. We argue that by testing hypotheses regarding the
targets and types of conflict we are better able to explain the causes and consequences
of human conflict.
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