Peruvian Settlement Pattern Studies and Small Site Methodology

Abstract

AbstractSettlement pattern research was introduced to Peruvian archaeology by Gordon R. Willey 2 decades ago. A critical review of this pioneering work points up a basic problem in the structure of analysis. The problem is generated by the use of a simple site taxonomy that is insensitive to the range of human activities that went on at different settlements. Examination of the subsequent course of settlement pattern research shows that this fundamental problem has not been recognized or dealt with in a constructive manner. The small site methodology is introduced as one possible means of treating sites in terms of the different activity patterns they housed.