Qillqatani

Quelcatani

Qillqatani
Alternative name	Qelqatani
Location	Peru, Puno Region
Region	Lake Titicaca basin
Altitude	4,420 m (14,501 ft)
Area	200 m2 (2,153 sq ft)
History
Founded	c. 7500 BP
Abandoned	1472 AD
Site notes
Archaeologists	Mark Aldenderfer

Qillqatani (Aymara qillqaña 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. 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. Qillqatani is surrounded by dry puna.

The site was declared a National Cultural Heritage (Patrimonio Cultural) of Peru. 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. From 3660 BP onwards, Qillqatani was inhabited by pastoralist camelid-herders who built houses and began to occupy the site long-term. These later occupants also began to trade with people from lower attitudes to obtain Chenopodium.

Bibliography

• Peregrine, Peter N.; et al., eds. (2001). Encyclopedia of Prehistory Volume 7: South America.