(a) Mina Primavera. (b) Cave opening of the mine (photo by Matthew Edwards). (c) Planview of mine. (d) Floor mortar used to ground extracted hematite. (e) Elevations of mine. For full report and full figures see Vaughn et al. 2007 (see link here).

Excavating at the mine turned everyone a bright red. Clockwise from left: Roberto Quispe, Gabi Brockman, Gonzalo Valencia, Enrique Narciso, Moises Linares, and Roberto Quispe.

One goal of the Early Nasca Craft Economy Project was to determine sources of raw materials used in the production of ceramics. In our survey --especially for mineral pigments used for paints-- we came across what appeard to be prehispanic mines and mining related sites.

One of these is a large mine called Mina Primavera just outside of the SNR in the Ingenio Valley (see map here). Mapping and limited excavations were undertaken in the mine. Through radiocarbon dates and recovery of diagnostic artifacts, it was determined that the mine dates to the Nasca period and was exploited by later pre-Hispanic peoples as well (including the Wari empire). Aside from diagnostic pottery, excavations also revealed fragments of Spondylus shell (Spondylus princeps), stone and shell beads, flaked stone material, botanical remains (primarily Zea mays and Lagenaria siceraria), and plain textiles suitable for storing and transporting ground pigment. Mineralogical analysis undertaken at UC Davis has determined that the principal mineral at Mina Primavera is hematite (Fe2O3). For the full publication, see the article here.

We have also recorded other mining related sites including a mining encampment called La Ballena reported here, and a number of other encampments, small mines and mining related sites. A manuscript that we have written that describes these sites and situates them within the context of our understanding of mining in the Andes is currently being reviewed.

Future projects will investigate mining in the Nasca region further by excavating additional mines and encampments to better understand this important activity.

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