Analyzing Stone Fish Net Sinkers in the North Coast of Peru: Inquiring Their Functional and Symbolic Aspects [SALSA]
This lecture analyzes the variability of fish net sinkers from two sites in Huanchaco, Peru: Pampa La Cruz, and Jose Olaya, Iglesia Colonial. Additionally, this presentation will compare the differences in stone net sinkers between cultural occupations spanning over centuries starting with the earliest of the Salinar occupation (400-200 B.C.), the Virú (B.C. 100 – 450/500 A.D.), and the Moche (450/500 – 800/850 A.D.). By analyzing the similarities and differences of the fishnet sinkers, one can infer the types of fishing nets used by maritime communities and their social implications. Fishnet sinkers found in ceremonial context had evidence of being intentionally broken in half, which shows that they were part of elaborate rituals. Studying these lithics gives insight into how integral fishing was in people's daily lives and the ceremonial practices that occurred in these communities.