Qillqatani (
Aymaraqillqaña to write, -ta a
suffix to indicate the
participle, -ni a suffix to indicate ownership, "the one with something written", Hispanicized Qelqatani, Quelcatani) is an archaeological site in
Peru.[3] It is located above the
Rio Chila, in the
Puno Region,
El Collao Province,
Santa Rosa District, at a height of about 5 m (16 ft) above the riverbed.[2] Qillqatani is surrounded by dry
puna.[2]
The site was declared a National Cultural Heritage (Patrimonio Cultural) of Peru.[4] Qillqatani is known for its elaborate rock art panels.
Archaeology
Qillqatani is the first archaeological site in the
Lake Titicaca basin to be systematically excavated. Archaeologists have identified 36 cultural strata at the site. From 7500 to 4000
BP, Qillqatani was inhabited by hunter-gatherers as a seasonal campsite. These early occupants hunted mostly camelids, and some deer.[2] From 3660 BP onwards, Qillqatani was inhabited by pastoralist camelid-herders who built houses and began to occupy the site long-term.[2] These later occupants also began to trade with people from lower attitudes to obtain Chenopodium.[2]
Qillqatani (
Aymaraqillqaña to write, -ta a
suffix to indicate the
participle, -ni a suffix to indicate ownership, "the one with something written", Hispanicized Qelqatani, Quelcatani) is an archaeological site in
Peru.[3] It is located above the
Rio Chila, in the
Puno Region,
El Collao Province,
Santa Rosa District, at a height of about 5 m (16 ft) above the riverbed.[2] Qillqatani is surrounded by dry
puna.[2]
The site was declared a National Cultural Heritage (Patrimonio Cultural) of Peru.[4] Qillqatani is known for its elaborate rock art panels.
Archaeology
Qillqatani is the first archaeological site in the
Lake Titicaca basin to be systematically excavated. Archaeologists have identified 36 cultural strata at the site. From 7500 to 4000
BP, Qillqatani was inhabited by hunter-gatherers as a seasonal campsite. These early occupants hunted mostly camelids, and some deer.[2] From 3660 BP onwards, Qillqatani was inhabited by pastoralist camelid-herders who built houses and began to occupy the site long-term.[2] These later occupants also began to trade with people from lower attitudes to obtain Chenopodium.[2]