Mortuary features

Several chulpaswere identified in the Maymeja portion of Block 1, the locations of these features is shown on Figure 6-67.

A03-215 "Saylluta 1" appears to be a relatively large chulpa(2m in diameter). A mortuary function for this structure is suggested by the doorway which is only 70 cm high. No diagnostic materials were found. The base of a square structure was located just to the east that is possibly an old corral or a shelter, but it appears to be too large to be a roofed space.

A03-274 is a small crevice west of A03-201 with remnants of a wall inside and several small bones that appear to have been animal bones. A diagnostic Inka rim sherd of non-local design [A03-274.1] was found here.

A03-578 is circular chulpamade with double-walled construction, but without mortar. The chulpameasures approximately 2m in diameter. A site consisting of a light scatter of obsidian [A03-575] surrounds the chulpaand extends out onto a large promontory overlooking the Quebrada de los Molinos and the access to Maymeja from the trail climbing up from Chivay. There was also a medium density lithic locus here [A03-576] consisting primarily of flakes in tertiary stages of reduction (0-50% dorsal cortex). This site conforms to the pattern of lithic reduction atop the bluff on the western edge of Maymeja with very high observation potential. Visibility/exposure at this site is 39 by the visibility index, while the mean for sites in Block 1 is 18.5. This high visibility reduction pattern is discussed in Section 8.3.3.

In addition, the corner of the eroded structure at A03-339, described above, is perhaps a LH square chulpa(Figure 6-69).