5.4.5. Testing the effectiveness of the B3 survey strategy

While survey criteria for coverage in Block 3 were relatively restrictive, a swath in the vicinity of Callalli with a diversity of topographic and ecological conditions was selected for conducting a "100% survey". The goal of covering ground at a 100% was to evaluate the effectiveness of the survey strategy that was being applied throughout the rest of Block 3. The survey coverage in Block 3 included only areas within 500m of the highest river terrace, and slopes under 15° (33.3%) incline.

The 100% survey revealed seven small sites, some lithic isolates, a lone broken vessel and a wall on a hilltop location that was undiagnostic but is probably a Late Intermediate Period pukara construction. The area of the 100% survey swath is 0.5 km wide by 3.5 km long (area = 1.7 km2) and if onlythe area outside of the regular survey model is included, the area is 1.1 km2. The sites located in the areas outside of the survey model fall into two major groups: pukaras on hilltops and small, eroding lithic scatters with no reliable temporal assignment found on steep open slopes. Other regional evidence points to a pattern of intensified pastoral production during the LIP and Late Horizon, and these dispersed sites may result from herders working while they monitor their flock during the wet season when the hillslopes of Callalli contain rich graze.

ArchID

Slope°

Altitude

Feature type

Notes

587

29.4

4185

lithic_p

588

15.1

4128

site_a

589

20.3

4156

site_a

Visib is +33

590

8.9

4100

site_a

591

16.0

4073

site_a

592

18.2

4077

site_a

593

21.0

4020

lithic_p

594

22.8

3967

site_a

605

11.7

4087

ceram_p

607

13

4164

site_a

Pukara. Visib is +3.12

608

15.3

4161

ceram_p

609

19.6

4149

struct_l

Possible Pukara wall.

Table 5-5. Sites and isolates from 100% survey strip that would not have been encountered using the regular Block 3 survey strategy.

Given the high effort expended in completing the 100% survey, and the eroded condition of most sites on steep slopes, a slight modification of the survey strategy would have resulted in the group encountering virtually all the informative sites in the region. The improved survey model would be like the one that was employed (500m from the high terrace and < 15° slope), and furthermore it would include a visit to all the major hilltops in the region searching for pukaras. With prospection survey, it is often true that pukara walls can be identified with binoculars or on imagery (Arkush 2005), allowing for targeted climbs of only those hills with visible walls.