Quebrada del Oso: new research on a Chimú agricultural complex in the Chicama valley

Abstract

This article presents the results of archaeological excavations conducted at the Quebrada del Oso site as part of the Chicama Archaeological Program. This archaeological settlement is located on the southern bank of the Chicama River, 29 km north of Chan Chan. Quebrada del Oso consists of three rectangular architectural compounds delimited by double-row stone walls and with several internal enclosures. In the main architectural compound there is an “Audiencia”, a typical Chimú architectural form. Surrounded by agricultural fields of seven different types, this site would correspond to a rural administrative center, primarily used for the management of water resources, agricultural production, and of the labor force. In this article, we present the analysis and interpretation of archaeological data collected during the 2021 and 2024 research seasons.