Untangling the chronological complexities of the Andean Central Coast Formative Period: A Bayesian reassessment

Abstract

This study presents an analysis of 190 radiocarbon dates derived from 13 Formative sites situated in the Andean Central Coast, specifically Lima, Peru, alongside an additional 59 dates obtained from the highland site of Chavín de Huántar. Bayesian statistical methods implemented through OxCal software are used for this analysis. The findings point towards the coexistence of Formative ceramic sites with previously identified Late Archaic sites (El Paraíso and Buena Vista). Additionally, the analysis highlights the persistent presence of a distinct architectural tradition characterized by U-shaped buildings across the central coastal landscape during the Andean Formative period. This architectural style reaches its zenith between 1500 and 1000 cal BC, followed by a gradual decline from 1000 to 500 cal BC, while also demonstrating significant temporal overlap with the prominent highland site of Chavín de Huántar from 1100 to cal 550 BC. This study provides a foundation for future research, pending the acquisition of additional dates in subsequent investigations.