Domestic architecture in the south-central Andes : placing the Pirque Alto (CP-11) wall foundation in perspective

Abstract

During the 2007 field season a stone wall foundation of a domestic structure was excavated at the site of Pirque Alto (CP-11) in the Parotani region of the Department of Cochabamba, Bolivia. Based on its orientation, shape and structure this wall foundation shows relation to Tiwanaku domestic architecture from the southern Titicaca Basin. This relationship sheds light on the influence of Tiwanaku on peripheral regions like Parotani. Pirque Alto?s (CP-11) location along three major trade routes makes it an ideal location in which to study cultural influence between different regions of this area. Based on a comparative study of the wall foundation at Pirque Alto (CP-11) against those from the Late Formative, Middle Horizon, and Late Intermediate Period in the Titicaca Basin and Moquegua Valley, I argue that the wall foundation at Pirque Alto (CP-11) shows Tiwanaku influence.