Life in the late Intermediate Period at Armatambo, Peru

This study examines the ability of the ruling class to provide for the health of their subjects through labor in the Late Intermediate Period site of Armatambo. The thesis of this dissertation is that the development of complex urban states in the central Andean coast was made possible by depleting the health and increasing the physical activity of the adult laborers while using the fruits of their labor to support the health of the subadults. Bioarchaeological indicators will be used to evaluate both chronic stress and acute stress episodes. Arthritic changes, signs of trauma, and age at death will measure adult responses to state demands. Comparisons between Armatambo and earlier sites found evidence supporting the main hypothesis. Results found that subadult health at Armatambo reversed a trend of worsening health seen in less complex sites through time. In contrast, adults from Armatambo showed more indicators of high activity levels. However, health at Armatambo compares less favorably to health at a Huari empire site: subadult health at Armatambo was generally worse, and adult physical activity was higher.