More change happened around AD 600-700. In the middle Piura Valley, the Campana phase (AD 600-900) is characterized by a relative cultural continuity as well as the appearance of some new features. The frequency of anthropomorphic high-necked jars and the presence (in private collections) of ceramics of the Middle Horizon styles seem to document the spread of new southern (Peruvian) influences into this region. Later, the Piura-Tallan assemblages (Lanning 1966; Richardson 1987) are present within a large area, covering the coast as far as Tumbes and a great part of Piura province. These assemblages are characterized by the production of small jars with loop handles, and by white on red and paddle stamping decorations (Figure 44.6). The presence inside several Tallan tombs excavated in Cerro Nananique (Figure 44.7) of double-T shaped copper ingots, similar to those found in the Lambayeque region, seems to indicate the existence of cultural relations and possibly trade with the Sican groups. Later again, during the Piura 3 phase (AD 1100-1450), the appearance of fired black wares and mold-made pottery attest Chimu influence in north westernmost Peru (Richardson 1987). The kind of control achieved in this territory by the southern (Peruvian) polities is still unclear, although some distinctiveness and independence is probable. For the first time, several great ceremonial and public centers—composed of adobe constructions, residence compounds and cemeteries—were built in several parts of the low Chira/Catamayo (Pare-dones, Tamarindo, Chacacala) and low Piura basins (Narihuala). Such centers are also present in the middle and high Piura Valley.
Around the seventh or eighth century AD an important rupture, marked by the disappearance of the old cultural features, occurred in eastern Loja province, such as in several
Figure 44.6. Small jar of the Tallan-Piura style. (Jean Guffroy)
Other sectors of the eastern slopes (basins of the Chinchipe, Zamora, Upano, Paztaza, Chambira rivers). It coincides with the arrival in the area of new populations using corrugated wares (Guffroy 2004). They were known as the Paltas, the Calvas and the Malacatos in Loja, and as the Bracamoros, the Xorocas and Xibaros in the east, and probably belonged to the Jivaro linguistic family. On the whole, these groups were characterized by poor technological development, great autarchy and bellicosity. Their arrival should have produced a relative collapse of relations between their southern and northern Andean neighbours. Nevertheless, trade probably remained steady in the western and northern areas, between the Tallan and Chimu groups, the Huancavilcas of the Machala coast and the Canaris of the provinces of Azuay and Canar.
Around AD 1470, the Inca conquest affected the whole region, with the exception of a large part of the eastern slopes. Inca policy is most apparent in the highlands, where the main Inca roads and several monumental settlements designed for strategic and economic purposes were located. The cultural impact of the Inca occupation differed from one area to another, depending on the intensity of the relation and proximity to the newcomers.
World History
